Last updated at 10/07/2026 05:56:46
Founder's Reserve Single Malt Scotch Whisky 700mL
90-day returns
originally posted on totalwine.com
The original Glenlivet 12yr was the one that got me into single malt. It was my go-to for quite a few years. I used to drink a case every 2-3 weeks in my early 30s, until I grew out of it and moved on to a greater world of whiskeys. Then one day, Glenlivet decided to discontinue it and replaced it with this Founder's Reserve as the entry level offering. One would think a product carrying the name of "Founder's Reserve" has gotta be good and special. Well, it is not the case here. There is malt, oak, and barley on the palate, and that's pretty much it. The overall taste is less than pleasant. The finish is short and bitter. The low 40% alc helps - because I can't imagine how much worse this is going to taste if it gets more intense with higher proof. I don't really ... MoreThe original Glenlivet 12yr was the one that got me into single malt. It was my go-to for quite a few years. I used to drink a case every 2-3 weeks in my early 30s, until I grew out of it and moved on to a greater world of whiskeys. Then one day, Glenlivet decided to discontinue it and replaced it with this Founder's Reserve as the entry level offering. One would think a product carrying the name of "Founder's Reserve" has gotta be good and special. Well, it is not the case here. There is malt, oak, and barley on the palate, and that's pretty much it. The overall taste is less than pleasant. The finish is short and bitter. The low 40% alc helps - because I can't imagine how much worse this is going to taste if it gets more intense with higher proof. I don't really taste any "fruity and creamy sweetness" as the product note suggests. For about the same price, the Monkey Shoulder beats this Founder's Reserve hands down, despite the MS being a blended whiskey. One time I drank it along with a MaCallan 12 double cask. Bad idea! I simply couldn't think of any good word to describe this Glenlivet. I want my original 12yr back!
originally posted on Google
I went to the market for different spirits yesterday and this bottle tugged at me each time I passed it on the shelf. Finally getting handy with it, the only statement of age was the bottling date - mine was about 4 months in the glass with a corked stopper.I am not a connoisseur by any means but I enjoy a good drink. I wouldn't normally spend $40 on a bottle with no age emblazoned as a selling point but I do trust the brand completely.They leave this bottle up to your taste. I found it warm with a nice finish. I trust the brand more than I trust my own perception and this bottle would find a permanent place on my shelf if it were half or even two-thirds the cost, gladly. There's just something missing for me without an aging statement. My perception isn't ... MoreI went to the market for different spirits yesterday and this bottle tugged at me each time I passed it on the shelf. Finally getting handy with it, the only statement of age was the bottling date - mine was about 4 months in the glass with a corked stopper.I am not a connoisseur by any means but I enjoy a good drink. I wouldn't normally spend $40 on a bottle with no age emblazoned as a selling point but I do trust the brand completely.They leave this bottle up to your taste. I found it warm with a nice finish. I trust the brand more than I trust my own perception and this bottle would find a permanent place on my shelf if it were half or even two-thirds the cost, gladly. There's just something missing for me without an aging statement. My perception isn't validated by the label and sadly that leaves me my overall trust in the brand dented.I'll continue to enjoy the bottle and might fall in love with it before it's gone, but right now I don't intend to buy it again.
originally posted on totalwine.com
I'm a routine scotch drinker, usually Islay options but sometimes enjoy a smoked Highland or Speyside if not drinking a blend. For reference, I drink Adbeg Oa An, JW Gold, 18, and Green, and Glenfiddich 18 most often. Anyway, bought this Founder's Reserve to smoke it using my scotch smoker and have to say it's a 8.5. Smooth, easy on the pallette...some coffee and caramel and toffee tastes. Sweet but not offensively so. If I had to buy again would gladly part with $30. And being honest, will stock a few bottles for my non scotch drinkers to join the fun and feel part of the game.
Founder's Reserve Single Malt Scotch Whisky 700mL
90-day returns
The original Glenlivet 12yr was the one that got me into single malt. It was my go-to for quite a few years. I used to drink a case every 2-3 weeks in my early 30s, until I grew out of it and moved on to a greater world of whiskeys. Then one day, Glenlivet decided to discontinue it and replaced it with this Founder's Reserve as the entry level offering. One would think a product carrying the name of "Founder's Reserve" has gotta be good and special. Well, it is not the case here. There is malt, oak, and barley on the palate, and that's pretty much it. The overall taste is less than pleasant. The finish is short and bitter. The low 40% alc helps - because I can't imagine how much worse this is going to taste if it gets more intense with higher proof. I don't really ... MoreThe original Glenlivet 12yr was the one that got me into single malt. It was my go-to for quite a few years. I used to drink a case every 2-3 weeks in my early 30s, until I grew out of it and moved on to a greater world of whiskeys. Then one day, Glenlivet decided to discontinue it and replaced it with this Founder's Reserve as the entry level offering. One would think a product carrying the name of "Founder's Reserve" has gotta be good and special. Well, it is not the case here. There is malt, oak, and barley on the palate, and that's pretty much it. The overall taste is less than pleasant. The finish is short and bitter. The low 40% alc helps - because I can't imagine how much worse this is going to taste if it gets more intense with higher proof. I don't really taste any "fruity and creamy sweetness" as the product note suggests. For about the same price, the Monkey Shoulder beats this Founder's Reserve hands down, despite the MS being a blended whiskey. One time I drank it along with a MaCallan 12 double cask. Bad idea! I simply couldn't think of any good word to describe this Glenlivet. I want my original 12yr back!
I went to the market for different spirits yesterday and this bottle tugged at me each time I passed it on the shelf. Finally getting handy with it, the only statement of age was the bottling date - mine was about 4 months in the glass with a corked stopper.I am not a connoisseur by any means but I enjoy a good drink. I wouldn't normally spend $40 on a bottle with no age emblazoned as a selling point but I do trust the brand completely.They leave this bottle up to your taste. I found it warm with a nice finish. I trust the brand more than I trust my own perception and this bottle would find a permanent place on my shelf if it were half or even two-thirds the cost, gladly. There's just something missing for me without an aging statement. My perception isn't ... MoreI went to the market for different spirits yesterday and this bottle tugged at me each time I passed it on the shelf. Finally getting handy with it, the only statement of age was the bottling date - mine was about 4 months in the glass with a corked stopper.I am not a connoisseur by any means but I enjoy a good drink. I wouldn't normally spend $40 on a bottle with no age emblazoned as a selling point but I do trust the brand completely.They leave this bottle up to your taste. I found it warm with a nice finish. I trust the brand more than I trust my own perception and this bottle would find a permanent place on my shelf if it were half or even two-thirds the cost, gladly. There's just something missing for me without an aging statement. My perception isn't validated by the label and sadly that leaves me my overall trust in the brand dented.I'll continue to enjoy the bottle and might fall in love with it before it's gone, but right now I don't intend to buy it again.
I'm a routine scotch drinker, usually Islay options but sometimes enjoy a smoked Highland or Speyside if not drinking a blend. For reference, I drink Adbeg Oa An, JW Gold, 18, and Green, and Glenfiddich 18 most often. Anyway, bought this Founder's Reserve to smoke it using my scotch smoker and have to say it's a 8.5. Smooth, easy on the pallette...some coffee and caramel and toffee tastes. Sweet but not offensively so. If I had to buy again would gladly part with $30. And being honest, will stock a few bottles for my non scotch drinkers to join the fun and feel part of the game.
This was a gift. While far from my favorite single malt label Glenlivet has always been an OK quaff. Unfortunately not this bottle. The reviews that call it smooth I just don't get as it requires at least 50% water to reduce the bite, for me. I do like my single malts with abit of water but judge how good it will be with a taste neat, and rubbing alcohol as stated in another review is as accurate as I could get. It will get a place in the back of my cabinet to make room for more go-to favorites, and possibly find another home altogether. Glad I didn't spend my own hard earned $$ on it!
Glenlivet Founders Reserve is actually really impressive for the price. Sweet and flavorful, I slip this one in a few times a week now.The greatest thing about Scotch is the experience and like all experiences, it’s different for everyone.I like to think of myself as more of a Scotch explorer than a connoisseur. One of the things I like most about Scotch is the variety and variations from one to the other. This includes year over year as Scotch varies from one year to the next. Over time, my preference of one to another changes. As an example, my favorite daily drinker for years was the Lagavulin 16, a fine smoky Scotch with plenty of complexity, a worthy spot in anyone’s collection. Most recently the Balvenie 12 Doublewood has claimed my daily drinker spot ... MoreGlenlivet Founders Reserve is actually really impressive for the price. Sweet and flavorful, I slip this one in a few times a week now.The greatest thing about Scotch is the experience and like all experiences, it’s different for everyone.I like to think of myself as more of a Scotch explorer than a connoisseur. One of the things I like most about Scotch is the variety and variations from one to the other. This includes year over year as Scotch varies from one year to the next. Over time, my preference of one to another changes. As an example, my favorite daily drinker for years was the Lagavulin 16, a fine smoky Scotch with plenty of complexity, a worthy spot in anyone’s collection. Most recently the Balvenie 12 Doublewood has claimed my daily drinker spot although the Walker 15 sneaks in every now and again. The Macallan 18 which for some reason (maybe it’s because I do not drink it that often), always makes my top spot. It’s just a really good Scotch. I mix it up as to how I take it depending on what experience I want to have. Neat is great for those times when you want the deep notes from the woods and are looking for the real deal. I usually take it on the rocks so that the flavors smooth out a bit and I can get more complexity from the Scotch. The only time I put a splash in is if the alcohol content is high to take the bite off. My older reviews were listed as 1KoolDad but for some reason this site will not let me use my own “Nickname” anymore.
It’s not deep or complex. It’s not going to knock anybody’s socks off. It’s not particularly memorable. Ok, so what is it? The Founders is a creamy, easy dram of affordable single malt whiskey. Nothing more nothing less. I actually think Buchanan’s 12 or Johnnie Walker Double Black are better (blended rather than single malt but good). Both will cost a few more bucks than the Founders so you need to weigh out if it’s a better option or not. Still, I have no issue keeping the Founders in my bar. It’s only $31.99 and is is a mellow little dram. Sometimes that’s exactly what you want.
the depth of flavor is just oh so thin. Glenlivet distillery surely know how to juggle it's barrels to perfectly balance what they have on hand. And, so it's hard to actually fault this dram and not give it a solid score like most of the reviewers here.But if you've drunk every kind of whiskey and whisky to there and back, you'll at once appreciate the craftsmanship of this bottle while feeling disappointed by how so little of that craftsmanship there is for you to enjoy. In two words: ANEMIC FLAVOR. This bottle is just going to work for a lot of drinkers, but if you're adventurous and curious about whisky, quickly go and find something else.
This is a nice simple single malt, but that does not mean it does not have a complex flavour mix. In the glass you get a slightly sweet aroma almost like a sherried malt but not sold as such, but there does also seem to be a sharper almost salty edge to it. The first taste is of a very sweet but not unpleasantly so malt, very fruity almost like raisins, there is also a spicy toffee like flavour. The sweetness carries over into the finish but there you can also taste the malted barley. I would say best served on it's own or possibly over ice, if you appreciate the slightly sweeter malts you will probably love this, I know I do.
Im confused why people are leaving pictures of glasses filled with this scotch as if this is something to prize. This scotch is not scotch by any means. I am a Brit leaving in the States for many years, and no Brit or born and bred SCOT would ever classify this as scotch. This has no flavour or aroma of scotch whisky of any kind. It has no dry finish it has no aroma or scent of scotch or the beautiful peat aroma of scotch. This is garbage it is horrific. Sweet nose, sweet taste, no scotch flavourat all. It tastes of lower end French brandy. Shame on Glenlivet for producing garbage like this.
Just when you think that there are a number of scotches that are tasting similar, it was recommended to me to give the Glenlivet Founders Reserve a try. Blew the similar types of scotches I had been trying out of the water. Hard to describe the features without sounding like a marketing ad for Glenlivet, or for that matter, everyone else. A balanced, smooth and unique flavor lineup best describes what I encountered while savoring my first snifter. "Hon, you have to try this," is what I said to my wife, who is not a scotch person. At my insistence, she did. That instantly led to her enjoying and sharing a snifter with me. That says it all! Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! Thank you.
The Glenlivet Founder's Reserve is a premium single malt Scotch whisky produced by The Glenlivet distillery in Scotland. It is a non-age statement whisky, meaning that it is a blend of different aged whiskies that have been carefully selected and blended together to create a consistent flavor profile. This whisky is characterized by its smooth and creamy texture, with a complex and well-balanced flavor profile. It has notes of vanilla, caramel, and toffee, as well as hints of fruit and spice. The finish is long and warming, with a subtle hint of oak. The Glenlivet Founder's Reserve can be enjoyed on its own as a sipping whisky, or used as a base for a variety of cocktails. It has won several awards for its quality, including a gold medal at the International Wine and Spirits Competition in 2015. Overall, The Glenlivet Founder's Reserve is a high-quality and well-crafted whisky that offers a smooth and complex flavor profile. It is a great choice for whisky enthusiasts who are looking for a premium whisky that is versatile and easy to enjoy.
The Glenlivet Founder's Reserve is a premium single malt Scotch whisky produced by The Glenlivet distillery in Scotland. It is a non-age statement whisky, meaning that it is a blend of different aged whiskies that have been carefully selected and blended together to create a consistent flavor profile. This whisky is characterized by its smooth and creamy texture, with a complex and well-balanced flavor profile. It has notes of vanilla, caramel, and toffee, as well as hints of fruit and spice. The finish is long and warming, with a subtle hint of oak. The Glenlivet Founder's Reserve can be enjoyed on its own as a sipping whisky, or used as a base for a variety of cocktails. It has won several awards for its quality, including a gold medal at the International Wine and Spirits Competition in 2015. Overall, The Glenlivet Founder's Reserve is a high-quality and well-crafted whisky that offers a smooth and complex flavor profile. It is a great choice for whisky enthusiasts who are looking for a premium whisky that is versatile and easy to enjoy.
in 1 offers
The lowest price for The Glenlivet Founder's Reserve Single Malt Scotch Whisky 700 ml right now is $65.95 at Dan Murphy's.
The all-time low was $46.68 on 30 May 2026 — today's price is 41% above the lowest ever. It has been notably cheaper before — worth setting a price alert.
Prices last updated 10 July 2026.
The Glenlivet Founder's Reserve Single Malt Scotch Whisky 700 ml
The Glenlivet Founder's Reserve is a premium single malt Scotch whisky produced by The Glenlivet distillery in Scotland. It is a non-age statement whisky, meaning that it is a blend of different aged whiskies that have been carefully selected and blended together to create a consistent flavor profile. This whisky is characterized by its smooth and creamy texture, with a complex and well-balanced flavor profile. It has notes of vanilla, caramel, and toffee, as well as hints of fruit and spice. The finish is long and warming, with a subtle hint of oak. The Glenlivet Founder's Reserve can be enjoyed on its own as a sipping whisky, or used as a base for a variety of cocktails. It has won several awards for its quality, including a gold medal at the International Wine and Spirits Competition in 2015. Overall, The Glenlivet Founder's Reserve is a high-quality and well-crafted whisky that offers a smooth and complex flavor profile. It is a great choice for whisky enthusiasts who are looking for a premium whisky that is versatile and easy to enjoy.
The Glenlivet Founder's Reserve is a premium single malt Scotch whisky produced by The Glenlivet distillery in Scotland. It is a non-age statement whisky, meaning that it is a blend of different aged whiskies that have been carefully selected and blended together to create a consistent flavor profile. This whisky is characterized by its smooth and creamy texture, with a complex and well-balanced flavor profile. It has notes of vanilla, caramel, and toffee, as well as hints of fruit and spice. The finish is long and warming, with a subtle hint of oak. The Glenlivet Founder's Reserve can be enjoyed on its own as a sipping whisky, or used as a base for a variety of cocktails. It has won several awards for its quality, including a gold medal at the International Wine and Spirits Competition in 2015. Overall, The Glenlivet Founder's Reserve is a high-quality and well-crafted whisky that offers a smooth and complex flavor profile. It is a great choice for whisky enthusiasts who are looking for a premium whisky that is versatile and easy to enjoy.
