Glenlivet Founders Reserve is the NAS bottling Pernod Ricard rolled out around 2015 to sit at the bottom of the range, bottled at 40% ABV, ex-bourbon plus some first-fill American oak. It is even lighter and sweeter than the 12: citrus, vanilla, a touch of pear and honey, very soft, very inoffensive. It exists because Pernod Ricard wanted to free up aged stock during the boom, and it annoyed loyalists who saw the 12 quietly disappear from shelves in some markets. As a cheap, easy first single malt it does a competent job; the 12 (now back widely) is the better bottle at a similar price.
Buy this only if it's cheaper than the 12 and you want the lightest possible introduction. Otherwise buy the 12. The right price is £25 to £32. Above £35 the 12 wins.
Positive on both axes, a credible recommendation.
- plusThe lightest, easiest possible introduction to single malt.
- plusCheap and widely available.
- plusCompetent for what it is; no rough edges.
- caveat40% ABV; light to the point of forgettable.
- caveatExists to free up aged stock, not to be good.
- caveatThe 12 at a similar price is the better bottle.
- flagPernod Ricard pushed Founders Reserve as a 12 replacement in several markets during the 2010s shortage; loyalists called it a downgrade. The 12 came back, but the episode showed priorities.
- flagThe 'Founders' / heritage branding dresses up what is the cheapest, simplest bottle in the range.