Last Updated on: 8th April 2024, 02:34 pm
J Highland
J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as a spirits distiller.
Explore variances between Dalmore 12 and Glenlivet 12 in this comprehensive analysis, and determine which Single Malt aligns better with your taste!
Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.
Written by: J Highland
Dalmore vs Glenlivet: Comparison
Dalmore 12: Enticing aroma of plums and chocolate, yet offers a light and quick finish with a sweet, slightly bitter aftertaste. A festive yet delicate choice.
Glenlivet 12: Smooth with vanilla and honey, offering a straightforward and pleasant experience. Ideal for newcomers to Scotch, though lacking in complexity.
Verdict: Both Dalmore 12 and Glenlivet 12 shine in their own ways: Dalmore for its festive aroma and Glenlivet for its smooth simplicity. Each has its appeal depending on your taste preference, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.
Related: Best-Rated 12-Year Scotches
The Dalmore 12: A Sweet Sipping Scotch
- Nose: Dark fruit, citrus, chocolate, cinnamon, plum
- Palate: Apricot, fig, grape, pecan
- Finish: Short, dark fruit, baking spice
- Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
- Similar to: Talisker 10
The Aroma: Right off the bat, the Dalmore 12 entices with a lovely scent. Think ripe plums, sweet oranges, and a hint of dark chocolate, all dusted with cinnamon. It’s enough to get your taste buds excited!
The Taste: While the nose promises a flavor fiesta, the taste falls a bit short. It’s light-bodied, almost watery, and the initial sweetness quickly becomes cloying.
The Finish: Brief and lacks warmth, leaving behind lingering notes of dark fruit, baking spice, and a slightly bitter aftertaste. Adding water doesn’t help, it just further dilutes the already thin texture.
Overall: Despite its festive nickname of “Christmas Cake in a glass,” the Dalmore 12 didn’t quite deliver for me. The light body, unbalanced flavors, and lower alcohol content left me wanting more.
In Conclusion: A good choice for those who prefer an overly sweet whisky.
Dalmore 12 Facts:
- Aged for 9 years, then split in half for further aging.
- Half aged for an additional 3 years in sherry casks, the other half stays in bourbon barrels.
- Won Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
- Scored 95 points at the 2019 Ultimate Spirits Challenge.
Glenlivet 12: Smooth But Simple
- Nose: Toasted cereal, honey, pear
- Palate: Vanilla, ripe fruit
- Finish: Short, honey, vanilla
- Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- How to drink: Neat
- Similar to: Balvenie 12
The Aroma: Take a whiff, and you’ll find gentle scents of toasty bread, honey, and ripe pears.
The Taste: The Glenlivet 12 goes down smoothly, and the first sip is all about vanilla sweetness with a touch of fruit.
The Finish: It finishes quickly with more of that vanilla and honey flavor.
Overall: If you’re new to Scotch, the Glenlivet 12 is a great pick. It’s smooth and easy to drink, with no strong peaty or smoky flavors. However, if you’re looking for a complex and exciting dram, this might be a little too “plain vanilla.”
Tips:
- Enjoy it neat (without ice or water) to experience the full flavor.
- A splash of water can bring out some floral notes, as is common with Scotches.
- For cocktails, a spicier option like Monkey Shoulder might be better suited due to its lower price point.
Glenlivet 12 Facts:
- Aged in barrels previously used for bourbon and European oak wines.
- Made using traditional wooden tanks for fermentation.
- The top-selling single malt Scotch in the US.
- Won Gold at the International Spirits Challenge.
- Owned by Pernod-Ricard, a large alcohol company.
Price comparison
Prices are approximate and stated in USD:
| Whiskey | Price |
| Dalmore 12 | $70 |
| Glenlivet 12 | $51 |