The Glenlivet Founder's Reserve
The smooth introduction to The Glenlivet: orange, pear and caramel, with creamy sweetness from new American oak. Made for a highball or a Whisky Sour.
A tribute to the founder
Founder's Reserve is named after George Smith, who founded The Glenlivet in 1824. This whisky uses special oak casks that provide The Glenlivet's fruity house character, complemented by unused American oak casks that add a hint of creamy sweetness. The whisky is still distilled in narrow, lantern-shaped copper stills.
There is no age statement on the bottle. The master distiller selects the casks for their flavor, not the number of years. As a result, Founder's Reserve is lighter, sweeter and creamier than the 12 Years, with orange, pear and caramel. A notably smooth malt: great neat, but especially good in a highball or a refreshing cocktail.
In brief
Orange, pear and creamy caramel
Citrus & pear
Fresh orange and juicy pear, light and inviting, with a soft sweetness in the background.
Smooth and creamy
Smooth and well balanced, with caramel and a creamy sweetness from the new American oak.
Short and sweet
A fresh, sweet finish without harshness. No wood or smoke dominating.
Tasting profile of The Glenlivet Founder's Reserve neat. Lighter and sweeter than the 12 Years.
Highball, sour or simply over ice
Founder's Reserve is The Glenlivet to play with. Smooth enough for beginners, fresh enough to mix.
Founder's highball
50 ml Founder's Reserve with 150 ml ice-cold sparkling water in a highball glass filled to the brim with ice, garnished with a long strip of orange peel. The citrus in the whisky immediately stands out.
Highball recipe →As a Whisky Sour
50 ml Founder's Reserve, 25 ml lemon juice, 15 ml sugar syrup, and one egg white, dry-shaken, then shaken again with ice and strained over fresh ice in a tumbler. The pear and caramel round out the sourness.
Whiskey Sour recipe →On the rocks
5 cl over a large ice cube in a tumbler. Cold, smooth, and sweet: a great introduction to single malt.
Tumblers →Fresh cocktails with Founder's Reserve
A light, sweet malt works best in fresh, long, or sour cocktails.
Whisky Highball
Whisky and soda over lots of ice. The fruitiness of Founder's comes through light and fresh.
Whisky Sour
Whisky, lemon, sugar, and egg white. Smooth and creamy with this malt.
Whisky Mule
A whisky-based Mule instead of vodka: ginger beer, lime, and lots of ice.
Penicillin
Whisky, lemon, honey, and ginger. A smooth base for a modern classic.The right glass for Founder's Reserve
A tall highball glass for the highball, a second highball glass for the Whisky Mule, and a tumbler for the sour and on the rocks.
More flavors from The Glenlivet
The Glenlivet
Where it began. On the brand page, you can read all about The Glenlivet: its origins, varieties, and classic cocktails.
To The Glenlivet →
The Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve
Rum casks add banana, toffee and tropical fruit. A summery malt for ginger ale and tiki cocktails.
View The Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve →
The Glenlivet 15 Years French Oak Reserve
Partly matured in Limousin oak. Spicier and creamier than the 12, with nuts and spices.
View The Glenlivet 15 Years French Oak Reserve →
The Glenlivet 18 Years
European and American oak, first and second fill. Full-bodied, elegant and with a long finish.
View The Glenlivet 18 Years →
The Glenlivet 21 Years
Sherry, cognac and port. Caramelized pear, raisins and warm spices for a special occasion.
View The Glenlivet 21 Years →Everything about whisky: the types, the best-known brands and the cocktails.
Questions about The Glenlivet Founder's Reserve
Can't find your question here? Read more on the page about The Glenlivet or browse our cocktail recipes.
Everything about The Glenlivet →