This series of articles about The Glenlivet, beginning with the history of the distillery and a tasting two whiskies in the product range, will conclude with a summary of a conversation between the author and the U.S. Brand Ambassador for The Glenlivet.
Ricky Crawford is a native of Scotland, and for the past six years, he has been afforded the unique opportunity of being The Glenlivet U.S. Brand Ambassador. He spends his time educating retailers and consumers about The Glenlivet across the country. However, Ricky’s experience with Scotch whisky didn’t just begin during the past decade. He grew up with his father and uncle both working in the industry. Needless to say, Ricky has a very good knowledge of whisky and it’s production, as well as the brand he represents. In speaking with him on the telephone, his passion for The Glenlivet is glaringly apparent.
Ricky was asked to give some general information about the two whiskies mentioned in an earlier article, Tasting The Glenlivet. These two whiskies are The Glenlivet 12 and The Glenlivet 18.
Starting with The Glenlivet 12, you can taste the fruity, floral, vanilla and honey notes. This is the result of the barley, water, yeast and distillation process itself, and of course, the aging of the spirit in used American oak barrels, which once held Bourbon whiskey. Ricky explained that since by law, barrels used in the production of Bourbon can only be used once, there is always a surplus of those barrels. He also explained that a flavor profile from a specific Bourbon does not factor into the decision from where to source these barrels. What is important is that the flavors in the oak, while desirable for Bourbon, are no longer present to such an extent because they have been softened from the previous spirit the barrel contained. The flavors left, however, are those that are desirable for the production of Scotch whisky.
The Glenlivet 12 could be said to be a foundation on which the rest of the range of product of the Glenlivet build upon. Those same flavors in the first whisky are present to some extent in the rest of the range. Where the different nuances of flavor and the color come into play are the result of the way the spirit is aged. For example, The Glenlivet 18 results from aging in used Bourbon casks, made from American Oak. It is finished in European Oak casks, which once contained Sherry. The wood and the time the spirit is in contact with it is key in the production of The Glenlivet product range.
Ricky says his “go-to” whisky is The Glenlivet 18. It’s perfect for after a meal. Ricky has done pairings of The Glenlivet with food. He finds that The Glenlivet 18 goes well with a meal of a good steak or salmon, and a good chocolate as well. However, in pairing with any food, desert or cigar, the final impressions people get are subjective. Everyone’s palate is different.
In concluding our conversation, Ricky said the one thing he would recommend to anyone who would enjoy The Glenlivet, is to add just a little water to the whisky. The water really opens up the whisky to yield its full range of flavors.
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