ralfy review 802 - Glenlivet 15yo French Oak @ 40%vol: 

Glenlivet and Glenfiddich are the most accessible single malts in my neck of the woods. Both are are solid and you can't go wrong with either.

For me, chill filtering, added colouring and an age statement really don't mean much to me. It's what the whisky smells and tastes like. The Glenlivet 15 is always in stock in my home. It's a quality drink, at a decent price.

glenlivet 15yo has always been my go-for malt, even until now, and yes, it needs a drop of water to burst out the exclusive flavor of this malt, this bottle deserves more attention =D

I like this one... old school.. dusty wood notes and dry French oak. *slàinte mhath*

The only channel i go to, to find my next spirit to enjoy on a night after a long day of work! :D

Hey Ralphy, you know a lot more about whisky than I do. I have bought quite a few Glenlivet 15 over the years and I love it. Even visited the distillery a while back and was impressed by just how much they make in a year. Great review. Thank you.

This one is a good scotch. It's one of the first bottles I got when I started getting into scotch.

Thanks for doing another one we can find, Ralfy! Methinks you're due to pull out something special and much harder to find. Cheers!

Since I started following whisky reviewers like yourself, I began to only purchase whiskies without chill filtration, color additives, and those with higher than 40% ABV. However, during a Saturday lunch at a friend's place, I found myself thoroughly enjoying this whiskey. More than what the types of whiskey that I purchase for myself.

I am in the US market and where I shop this one is 40% ABV. Still a tasty dram but would love a tiny bit more proof

This was one of the two bottles that introduced me to scotch. It’s a little watery now that I’ve had more experience, but still a nice whisky.

Nailed the notes on this one I was sipping along and thought exactly

Enjoying this review with a glass of Glenlivet 15 I bought a few years back but only recently opened. Good stuff.

The bothy seems to be chill filtered today. We can see your breath.

I agree with you Ralf, was sipping along with you and your notes are spot on. Also added a drop of water like yourself and found it much more appealing, lovely, lovely malt

I've always enjoyed this. You are correct, a single cask, cask strength would be worth the extra pounds as long as it wasn't too much (15-25).

I have been aware of french oak influence for a long time and really appreciate it. I haven't ever considering oak sorts, I'll have to do some reading on that. Good content - love learning new stuff about whisky :)

This is lyricist poetry. I can listen to this man, all day.

It's always a pleasure to spend time watching your videos, every time there's something new to learn ... and the passion and love you put into what you do is admirable ... greetings from Mtl.!

Thank you Ralfy. Great video...👍

I recently bought two bottles from indie bottler The Nectar of the daily dram, which was a glenlivet 12yo.. Almost 100 € a bottle but man.. What flavor that spirit has.. Also no pushover at 66%. Atm I'm not even drinking it, just smelling the sample i was given from time to time and pondering in sadness why none of my open bottles offer that kinda rewarding experience..

Really enjoyed the review Ralfy! Cheers.

Hello Ralfy... opened a bottle last week and here you come out with a review😁The 15 yo is a worthy younger sibling to the 18 yo, which is one of my all time favourites. Its a bit rougher on the nose a pallette, else delicious after it opens. Are there any Malty Mama's boys yet ?😂😂

Hola Ralfy, muy interesantes todos sus vídeos. Hablo muy poco inglés, pero su hablar pausado me facilita entender toda la información que usted suministra.

Enjoyed this last night..1 rock, let it sit until the rock melted a tad bit..I really do think its very tasty...I wanted to add that this is being sold here in the U.S at 40% as well...

Still 40% ABV In the US :(

Happy Malty Monday Dear Sir! I was put off trying any more Glenlivet after trying the 12 out at a bar. It was so underwhelming. Then my husband got a bottle of this for a gift. I wasn’t excited about it at all and found myself very pleasantly surprised! Agreed on the nutty ness. Really enjoyed this bottle. Even at 40%,where I am this is a good bang for your buck bottle. Hope you enjoyed yourself in Glasgow. Wish I could have been there! Until tomorrow’s extras. 😁

Greeting Ralfy, Glenlivet is one of all time fav but I never had the 15 yr old until last night and I am glad that I found your review about it. This is not a cheap one here in Aus, $139 is a bit high for Glenlivet. I am suprised that it is chilled filter and not natural color, I go for Aberlour Abunadh any time over this since both are in the same price range.

This is my favorite "everyday" whisky. Though Glenlivet 15 is the only whisky I considered totally destroyed after adding even some drops of water.

One of my favorites,love the oak, vanilla!

It's a shame it's been dumbed down to 40%. For a 15 yr old, it should be displaying more of its magnificence. This is more about bean counting.

Accordingly to your review about the Queen Margot 3 yo, I started to try out the less expensive options available in supermarkets here in Switzerland... Here is a small resume of what I found: 1. Glen Scanlan, blended Scotch (bought in a supermarket called "COOP") The nose is nothing special at all... but this is good stuff, especially for the price of 22.00 CHF for 1 litre of 40% (that's about equal to 22.00 USD). Very buttery flavor and taste, very smooth, no after burn nor alcoholic notes like mostly from too young blended Scotch Whisky. 2. Scottish Piper, blended Scotch ( bought in a supermarket called "Denner") This one is a cherry bomb... already in the nose and also tastewise... for 20.00 CHF for 1 litre of 40% (that's around 20.00 USD) this is the "best bang for buck" I've found... for me it is just too sweet... so I prefer the Glen Scanlan. But if you like sweet, "cherry finish" type of Scotch with out the tannin of a "complete cherry cask Scotch" this one is for you... 3. Halkins, blended Scotch... this one was the cheapest bottle (13.00 CHF for 0.7 litre of 40%) I can't even remember where I've bought this one... It was aweful... I highly recommend to stay away from this crap... horrible alcoholic smell and taste with an unpleasant after burn... and after the first dram I already felt bad... you get this feeling like: one more glass of this and you may start to vomit... anyway I just ending up mixing this with some Ice Tea... at least it worked as a mixer...

I literally won’t but a bottle of whisky that is at 40 percent. There are too many equal or better options that give us 43, 45, 46, and better for the same prices. Why settle?

Thanks again Ralfy... Personally I was disappointed with this one - but I might go back and retry it. I have half a bottle tucked away in the back of a cupboard. My personal favourite from Glenlivet is the Nadurra First Fill Selection - 59.8%abv, un-chill filtered, natural colour. It exhibits all of the characteristics mentioned for the 15 yo without the limitations of chill filtration and watering down to 40% (this is of course - a personal opinion )

I picked a bottle in the states a few years back that was at 43%. It was a lovely dram indeed! Cheers!🥃

I strongly recommend this one to any bourbon drinkers who are looking to expand into scotch whiskies, especially if you are a fan of double oak bourbons and/or very "smooth" bourbons. I am not a big scotch guy, but this one is really something special. It costs almost $90 here in the US though.

I actually have a bottle of this and unfortunately here in the states it's 40% as well.

This was one of the first two bottles of scotch that I ever bought. It’s a little watery now that I’ve had more experience, but still a nice whisky. Actually one of the easier drinkers IMO.

Just grabbed the box to check out the flannel ....It's not the same !

Glenglassaugh Revival? or Torfa? - Glenglassaugh in it's 'new age' come back is very sincere.

have one, good stuff and interesting taste. ps : i personnally like to mix an irish whisky (or sometimes a "cheap" blend) with peated whisky and a little add of fresh honey, but little :) we do as we want !

Thank you for sharing. I enjoy your enthusiasm. Be well.

Great review. I am very new to scotch but have a feel for it; The first thing is that it needs to be a higher proof like you said. Adding water to this whiskey opens it up and reveals more apple and subtle fruit while still being incredibly Smokey. The butter note is akin to Black label only more hidden in the background. Might visit this bottle again someday when I’m more experienced. Enjoyable whiskey for sure, cheers!

Got this earlier in the summer for £22.

I've always got creamy cashews from the Glenlivet 15. I really appreciate whisky that has been in European oak rather than the usual Jim Beam casks. I wish the UK had an oak industry to supply casks to the whisky industry.

I liked this scotch. I also added water to mine. It would be nice if I could get water imported from the River Livet, but I don't know if they do that. By the way, I LOVE the Dalek figurine on your shelf.

Also, how about a Glenfiddich 18 yo review ? You haven't done one yet

Prefer the glenfiddich 15 they taste similar but the afore mentioned is a rounder fuller taste.

Currently on sale here in The Netherlands at €40 (which is about £34.00) 😊

It's a great drop. Luckily in S.A.. We get all our whisky at 43 or more. Regards from cape town

This is exactly the kind of bottle hotels & restaurants keep on order for what they think single malt drinkers want. Most managers are truly ignorant of what Scotch is or what Scotch lovers want IMO.

Exactly 170 likes and not one single dislike...what a wonderful world...

Angola , hmmm - remember being offered Whisky in a string of 30 ml plastic pouches , not so nice - thankfully the hotel had black label !!

I can only find this whiskey at 40% in the States I would like to see it up around 46.5 even at 43 I think it loses a lot being bottled at 40% still tastes like Glenlivet I could definitely pick it out in a blind taste test and know it was a Glenlivet they make a great spirit I just wish they would not chill filter add color and then on top of it only bottle at 40% I can get speyburn 10 here for half of the price of this Glenlivet 15 and honestly I enjoy it more than this it's one of my favorite speyside whiskys

I can relate why the 12yo is bottled at minimum strength because it's an entry level dram, but I never understood why this 15yo doesn't have the same strength as it's 3 year older sibling. It's just as you say Ralfy, 3% go a long way.

This is my goto scotch at 43% abv. Price has gone up drastically so that sucks but I still pay it

Amen to the if it doesn't smell right or taste right its not worth your time... I just ended up pouring a bottle of Ron Zacapa 23 Centenario Sistema Solera Rum down the drain... horrible moldy sherry smell on the nose and the same in the taste. Shame really, I've had another bottle that was near perfect.

Looking Trim there Ralfy!!!

Nice review, still vating on the arran 12 yr the man with the golden glass review =)

This regularly goes on sale for $50 Canadian! A no brainer at that price.

I so agree with the need for a higher percentage of alcohol, come on, even bourbon comes stronger Scotland

I pulled this almost full bottle bottled in 2007 out the back of my shelf collecting dust to resample. I agree, this is an 85 score. Nice, but not up to my current standards.

I just saw that Lidl offers a 16yo Blended Malt with 45%abv for ~30 bucks? Anybody tried that one, seems like a good deal?

I don't know but it sounds like some damn fine stuff especially when the 12 year old only got 83 so that's two whole extra points and I actually did try the 12 year old and it was pretty good but in my opinion Glenn Murray classic no age statement was better then the 12 year old Glenlivet but I think more time equals better results well anyways thanks a bunch but I do think that adding a wee drop of water does wonders for any whiskey except for the crap ones some things you just can't fix because they're already broken like monarch whiskey but everything is subjective but anyways thanks so much

Just bought this for £35 (RRP is £50) so I'll see what happens when it arrives.

Me: See a bottle available in my local shops on Ralfy's cask. Well I guess I will buy it.

35 pounds?!. Damn, Ontario Canada keeps raping us with their prices here.

75 bucks USD as of today.

Hi Ralfy, I've got a quick question on the glass you're using. As I have it, it's a Glencairn glass, as the shape is called. I had two similar glasses at home and used them for a long time, but the other day I got a gift of two of those shaped glasses in crystal glass. Does the actual glass composition make a difference for you? I find that the crystal glass makes the flavours sharper and more distinct for me, but I'm not sure if it's just my personal love for crystal glasses in general doing that to my whisky?

So if you got your hands on a 50 yr old whiskey, you would pour it and wait almost an hour before you drink it? I've never heard the one minute per year rule before, I'll keep that in mind the next time I drink something with an age statement.

The issue I have with the industry is the gaping hole in this section of the offerings. No one is really producing a really good 15-year-old Sherry influenced product that is at a slightly higher ABV with no color added, un chill-filtered and at a "reasonable" cost. In the US that means at a cost of $75-$100 dollars. Sure there are lots of Sherry influenced offerings from $75-$150 (US) but are any of them really worth what they are charging compared to other flavor profiles in this same price point? I like Aberlour, Glendronach, Glenlivet, Glenfarclas but I am often underwhelmed by the price of their Sherry offerings vs the quality in the glass.

As a complete nooby, to me it loos like he just drank the first bit away in a second... would you not give the whisky a bit more time in the mouth to explore its aromas ?

the whole event has been dumbed down. lolololol amen, ralfy! preach on.

Available in the US for about USD 70.

Hi Ralfy, Have you ever tried the Glenlivet 13 Sherry cask before ?

I do agree, the 40% is getting old.

Even to the Isle of Wight ralfie me ol malt Manx man

ralfy what would you prefer Glenfidich 15 or Glenlivet 15?

I found this whisky to be unremarkable, there are a few blended whiskies that would knock spots off this stuff!

I bought a bottle in the USA......40% abv

The 40 percent turns me right off i have the 12 it smells great and tastes really one dimensional

Assuming about the same price, do people like this Glenlivet 15 or Glenfiddich 15?

It strikes me as odd to insist on adding water at the same time as complaining the ABV is too low.

I enjoyed this but it's not as good as SPRINGBANK 15 YEAR OLD - WHEN WILL YOU REVIEW IT????

In my review, I found a little bit of black liquorice in the palette with a few drops of water. whiskyblog.dk/glenlivet-15-year-old-french-oak-reserve/

Does this Glenlivet have any special editions ? With higher alcohol, natual color, NCF ect.

Thats a 100 dollar bottle here in Canada! We pay sooo much for whisky, all liquor actually its ridiculous

0:33 "aschpreciators of spine firits..." I think you've asprechiated quite enough spirits for today...

♥️

That's a new cap and it's not even 2020 yet.

"Limousin Oak" is simple an Oak tree from the Limousin region of France. It is not a distinct variety of Oak. Saying Limousin Oak/wood comes from "France or Northern Spain" 3:45 is wrong because Limousin Oak is any Oak species that grows specifically in Limousin. Usually Quercus robur or Quercus pubescent, but sometimes Quercus petraea. Some of which equally grows in England, or other parts of Europe. I love you Ralfy but in this instant you were slightly misinformed.

Why is it that the UK often gets the same malts as we in the US at lower proofs?

The 18 when it was 43 percent spoiled this 15 even more for me. This 15 is way too sweet after that. Not a fan of sweet much at all though.

My god I hate Canada. 35 pounds is 60 cad.. It's 90 here. That's a 50% tax. Maybe I shouldn't complain when you've done a good vid (you always do). I'm just angry with the government.

Like everyone else here bump it to 90 proof!!

It would be handy to know what supermarket sells it for £35.....

Chemists have proven that a few drops of water does indeed change the flavor for the better.

👍❤️🥃

Can someone explain what "selectively matured" really means?

Jesus, it must be cold at your place Ralfy. I can see your breath…..