This Glenlivet 1973 is bottled in the selected by Berry’s series, originally meant for entry-level after dinner drams. There’s also a slightly wider Berry’s Own Selection range.

Glenlivet 38 yo 1973 (47,6%, Berry Bros. & Rudd 2011, cask #10822)

Nose: plenty of heather notes in this one. Not immediately attractive, but it becomes fairly fruity after fifteen minutes… gentle garden fruits (apple, pear, gooseberry). Some honey. A little mint. Leading to some mocha and soft waxy notes. Faint grassy notes too. Mouth: quite sweet and nicely fruity, same (stewed) fruits with a little more citrus maybe (especially tangerine and orange sweets) and a slight tropical edge. Sweet barley notes. Honey. Yellow raisins. Clear oak now as well (pepper, ginger, clove). Finish: long, with sweet fruits, vanilla and warming spices. Returns nicely to minty notes.

A very good, sweet and fruity Speysider. Well in line with our expectations. Around € 170. Still on the shelves in several shops.

Score: 90/100