For the rest of the review, I'm chopping the name down to Glenlivet, try to humble the bottle a little. Because this is a bottle with big things going on.
The first single malt I ever had - and I suspect the first single malt of many a fellow and lady - was the Glenlivet 12. It's cheap, it's everywhere, and it's fairly bland and inoffensive, the kind of drink you recommend to your single friends by saying "it has a nice personality." It goes down nicely and you will never think of it again.
This Glenlivet, however, it totally different. This is an animal. This is Glenlivet's answer to Aberlour A'bunadh - aged 16 years, cask strength at 55% ABV, non-colored, non-chill filtered. First fill ex-bourbon! The name means "The Natural." This is a taste explosion and I love it.
Nose: Alcohol fumes, but they are thick and full of flavor. Thick, fat vanilla wafts up. Rich vanilla pods. Wet vanilla, dry vanilla. Old vanilla, young vanilla. Madagascar vanilla. Nothing else there, but really doesn't need more than this.
Mouthfeel: Huge, due to the alcohol tidal wave that sweeps your mouth and sinuses.
Palate: Vanilla turned up to eleven. Broad sweet alcohol ascending. Weirdly, sherried fruit comes forth - ripe plums! Blackberries too. Some raw almonds, towards the back end. Very complex.
Finish: The oak takes center stage, but interestingly never overpowers. It's extremely light-footed and deft as it winds up. It collects all the flavors and lets them recede on their own terms. Papery and peppery without being bitter. I think the vanilla takes the bitterness out of the finish.
Verdict: Highly recommended. As far as I've had, this is the best thing Glenlivet makes. If you like Aberlour A'bunardh, you'll like this. If you like bourbon, you'll probably like this. If you like vanilla, you'll like this. If you like stiff drinks with good flavor, you'll like this. For it's price ($58 here), this is a steal.
Link to the site for Nadurra: http://us.theglenlivet.com/the-whisky/nadurra
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