Battle of the 18yr "Glens"

kroman · July 13 2016 at 5:00PM

I'm torn between buying either the 18year Glenlivet, glenmorangie or Glenfiddich. I haven't tried any of these and wanted to give one of them a shot. After watching Horst's recent review of the Glenlivet 18, I think I know what his answer would be, but I was wondering for the those who have had all three: in your opinion, which one of these mass-producers makes the best 18 year expression?

The Glenlivet is the most expensive of the three ($110 in my area), but I'm getting the impression that this one might be the better of the three. I haven't heard too much of the Glenfiddich (I saw Horst's review), but it's the most affordable ($85). Glenmorangie is in the middle of the road ($99), and I've never had a bad bottle from that distillery.

Thoughts/recommendations...?

teohongfu · July 13 2016 at 6:22PM

Well, Honestly, I would go for Glenfiddich 18 or Glenlivet 18. Both is just as good. Haven't tried Glenmorangie 18 yet though.

However I also do like to recommend 17yo/18yo Glenfarclas and 18 Arran :biggrin:

hwchoy · July 13 2016 at 8:02PM

buy one each! the glenmorangie comes in a sturdy beautiful box. the Glenfiddich comes in a flimsy non-paper box with a tin cover that comes off quite easily. the Glenlivet comes in a traditional cardboard box.

I think all three are good in their own ways. but the glenmorangie is the go to dram as a gift.

horst_s_2 · July 14 2016 at 9:30AM

I had the Glenmorangie 18yrs as well. And it was wonderful. The actual bottling shows a lot more cask influence then the earlier ones.

I would go (of course), if I do not have to look after money in this sequence:

Glenlivet
Glenmorangie
Glenfiddich

If I would have to look after the money, the Glenfiddich would be the first choice.

Glenfiddich
Glenlivet
Glenmorangie

But as said above, all three are really good single malts.

hwchoy · July 14 2016 at 9:39AM

at the Duty Free here, the Glenmorangie 18 and Glenfiddich 18 Small Batch Reserve are essentially the same price.

and for that price ~ GBP70, the Glenmorangie 18 packaging is really impressive.

Andyvans · July 20 2016 at 6:55AM

I would go with miniatures if you just want to try. It will cost you less than a full bottle but you will know for sure which one you like. Personally I bought all of them in miniatures and was rather underwhelmed with each. Yes they are all nice but nothing spectacular for the price IMO. This is probably my personal taste. I prefer something with stronger character, like sherry monster or heavy peat. In any case, starting with miniatures makes a lot of sense to me.

floid · July 20 2016 at 3:37PM

Check around for holiday gift sets. A local store to me stocks a Glenlivet gift set that is 750ml of 12, a 50ml of 15 french oak, and 50ml of 18. And they sell it for the same price as a regular 750ml of 12. It was a cheap way to try the two others to see if you like them and have a bottle of Glenlivet on hand for company.

kroman · August 16 2016 at 10:25PM

So I was able to get the Glenlivet 18 for 89 dollars. I have to say that I was expecting more from this whisky. Lots of oak and orange peel (for me). If you like bourbon, I think you'll love this scotch. But for me, I don't think I'll be buying this one again. The bourbon nose and taste was too strong for me. I think I would have liked the glenfiddich more. I'm still thankful for the recommendations, though!

Shawn_A_Anderson · August 19 2016 at 11:56PM

I've tasted all three only the Glenmorangie I had by the glass, the other I had a bottle. I would choose this order.

1 Glenlivet 18 $92 CDN
2 Glenfiddich 18 $102 CDN
3 Glenmorangie 18 $ 160 CDN

slimshade · August 26 2016 at 11:31AM

If it was me, it would be Glenlivet or Glenmorangie, I wouldn't even touch Glenfiddich 18 it's to plain, lack of smell and taste, needs to be bottled at a higher ABV. Personal option, so you might enjoy it, while I don't ?