Taster

Nose: Spice and old leather sofas, caramel. Water releases more expansive floral and marzipan notes.

Palate: More spice, fudge, dry sherry, then peppery old oak.

Finish: Shorter than one might hope, quite flat, dry oak.

Comment: Somewhat lifeless and one-dimensional. Not the best old Glenlivet I've tasted.

Score: 7.3

Taster

Nose: Gentle and slow to open. Rich tea biscuits, Madeira, nuts, peach juice, apple core, flowers and dried peels. A light oiliness. Complex and balanced.

Palate: Restrained, with sweet honeyed notes. Great width on the palate, lovely soft feel. Water shatters it.

Finish: Long, aromatic.

Comment: A fantastic old Speyside which hits a perfect balance between cask and spirit.

Score: 9