The Glenlivet: A Tasting Flight with the World's Number One Single Malt Whisky

An afternoon with The Glenlivet. And there's just no better way to celebrate its historic milestone as the world's number one single malt Scotch whisky than with a proper tasting flight...

The Glenlivet recently held an exclusive media luncheon at the Hotel Interconental's Bahia Function Room to announce its revered status as the world's number one single malt Scotch whisky, a testament to the iconic brand's increasing consumer appeal, rich heritage, innovative spirit, and exceptional quality since 1824. And this definitely called for a proper toast...

At the luncheon, the core range of The Glenlivet was proudly displayed, with The Glenlivet 12 Year Old, The Glenlivet 15 Year Old French Oak Reserve, The Glenlivet Nadurra 16 Year Old, The Glenlivet 18 Year Old, The Glenlivet Archive 21 Year Old, and The Glenlivet XXV 25 Year Old, each one highly decorated and awarded in its class. Through its commitment to innovation, The Glenlivet has been the largest contributor to the growth of the sector in the past five years, and in 2014, surpassed the one million case per annum mark. That same pioneering spirit is seen and experienced through innovative new expressions, engaging marketing campaigns, and the growing online community for brand fans, The Guardians of The Glenlivet.

It's the single malt that started it all. Established by George Smith way back in 1824 as the first licensed distillery in the Livet Valley of the famed Speyside region of Scotland. Since then, The Glenlivet has become the world's largest single malt Scotch whisky brand by volume, based on the latest IWSR 2014 data.

The exclusive Tasting Session featured the three classic expressions of the esteemed range, The Glenlivet 12 Year Old, The Glenlivet 15 Year Old French Oak Reserve...

...The Glenlivet 18 Year Old...

...and to cap off the tasting, The Glenlivet 16 Year Old Nadurra, yet another expression with a growing following for its cask strength and elegant, memorable finish. Each of the expressions have been critical drivers to the Brand's global success. "The past five years have been phenomenal for The Glenlivet. The brand has grown consistently, with value ahead of volume, because we have what whisky fans are looking for when considering a dram," said Laurent Lacassagne, Chairman & CEO of Chivas Brothers. "In response to consumer demand we are delivering ever more innovative styles of whisky and more engagement. The Glenlivet has proudly led the category on these fronts and I am honored to add leadership in volume sales to this list of achievements," continued Laurent Lacassagne. "But for now, I propose a toast to George Smith, who I am sure would have been delighted to see the 'the single malt that started it all' become the world's No. 1." And I'm pretty sure George Smith would approve.

Darren Hosie, International Brand Ambassador for Chivas Brothers Ltd., presided over the exclusive tasting of the Glenlivet at Intercon's Bahia Room. As International Brand Ambassador, Darren Hosie leads all mentoring programs of Chivas Brothers around the Asian region and travels extensively to promote the iconic brands of Chivas Brothers Ltd., including Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, Ballantine's and The Glenlivet. In 2012, Darren Hosie was appointed a member of the Keepers of the Quaich, Scotland's premier Scotch whisky industry society in recognition of his excellent and continued services to the Scotch whisky industry. Membership to the prestigious Keepers of the Quaich is strictly by invitation only, and having Darren Hosie host the event made it even more special.

A special three-course lunch was served at the Intercon's Bahia Room, starting with the Smoked Salmon Tartar topped with fresh arugula and served with iced tomato soup...

...followed by the Roast Beef Tenderloin Crusted with Mustard Gratinated Potatoes...

...and finally, dessert with the Tiramisu and Almond Biscotti.

After a sumptuous lunch, Chivas Brothers Ltd.'s International Brand Ambassador Darren Hosie then briefed guests on the finer points of single malt Scotch whisky before the much-awaited whisky tasting. Different food elements like dried apricots, truffle chocolate, and sultanas were also served to bring out the complex notes.

The classic Glenlivet 12 Year Old delivers fruity notes, with a pronounced hint of pineapple, ending with a clean and smooth nutty finish. Matured in a mixture of cask types, the American Oak casks impart a subtle layer of creamy vanilla notes. The deeper, golden color of The Glenlivet 15 Year Old French Oak Reserve has more intense flavors, yet with a rich buttery creaminess with a whisper of fruits and nuts. The Glenlivet 18 Year Old is a more complex yet balanced expression, with its rich blend of fruity, nutty, toffee and bolder spice notes weaving its own distinct layers of flavors. Darren Hosie then shared the The Glenlivet 16 Year Old Nadurra, which translates to "natural" in Gaelic referring to its natural non-chilled filtered and traditional process, is a classic expression with more robust peaty and smoky notes, punctuated by hints of apples and citrus zest. The Glenlivet Tasting was a unique opportunity to experience the subtle nuances in each of the single malt expressions, each one with its own exclusive character.

And that makes each expression an experience in itself. Each of the distinct expressions were unique and excellent, but it's The Glenlivet 16 Year Old Nadurra and the The Glenlivet 18 Year Old that made an impression for being different and refreshingly new. Each sip brings one closer to the master distiller's art, a culmination of years of passion and dedication to a noble craft, perfectly captured in a shot glass. You can add just a drop of water to bring out the flavors and aroma, take it neat and enjoy it in its purest form, or have it on the rocks, whatever way you have it, the classic initial and momentary burn and bite at the back of your mouth followed by the signature clean velvety smooth finish completes the experience. One more shot? Absolutely.

Here's a toast to George Smith, to the single malt that started it all, a historic milestone in global sales volumes, and to 191 years of single malt Scotch whisky perfection. And I'm pretty sure George Martin would approve a toast in proper Gaelic... Slaandjivaa!

The Glenlivet is available in leading supermarkets and wine shops nationwide. 

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