Glenlivet 18 vs Glenfiddich 18. Which to buy first?

[Malhavoc]

At the end of March I'm looking to buy one of the two bottles. Does anyone have a specific recommendation for which one I should buy first?

[lockejn]

I haven't tried the Glenlivet 18, but the Glenfiddich 18 was much too woody for my taste. I'd easily prefer the 15 or even the 12.

[Ganga]

Do you have a preference between the disilleries?

I agree with Locke on Glenfiddich. I'd much rather have the 15 (or the 15 51%).

I think the Glenlivet 18 is a big step up from the 12. Lots of tropical fruits, coconut.

[Ganga]

I had another thought (and I screwed up and responded here for something else); you might want to go with some cask strength Glenlivet and try the Nadurra.

[The Third Dram]

...you might want to go with some cask strength Glenlivet and try the Nadurra.

I wholeheartedly agree.

While I do quite enjoy the 18-year olds from Glenfiddich and Glenlivet (both noticeably richer and rounder than their younger siblings, at least to my taste buds), the cask strength 16-year old Nàdurra positively sings!

[jazz lover]

Glenlivet 18.

[Malhavoc]

Do you have a preference between the disilleries?

Not really. I'm still new to the world of scotch and have only tried the 12 year bottles from each.

...you might want to go with some cask strength Glenlivet and try the Nadurra.

I wholeheartedly agree.

It appears the LCBO in my area stocks it, so I'll add it to my list.

Glenlivet 18.

Thanks

Is one of the Nadurra/Fiddich 18/Livet 18 better for someone with less experience in whiskys?

[jazz lover]

Not necessarily,However if you have the cash
the Glenlivet's are tasty.

[evertonmint]

Glenfiddich always, offers a much rounder malt. Fiddich 18 is possibly one of their best publicly available whiskies. Gives a dried or candied fruits flavour and a hint of wood spices.

[Malhavoc]

With such a diverse range to opinions, maybe I'll have try all three. Such a hardship.

[evertonmint]

well I believe the Glenlivet is slightly cheaper if that helps?

I had both bottles 8 weeks ago...just by chance....and for me the Glenfiddich was by far the better whisky. But the guy next to you may prefer Bells!!! best of luck

[Drammed]

I had another thought (and I screwed up and responded here for something else); you might want to go with some cask strength Glenlivet and try the Nadurra.

This is the best option as the Nadurra is a 16 yr and is at cask strength and (at least around here) is a little cheaper than the 18 yr malts for a better product.

[Malhavoc]

I might hold off on the Nadurra for now. I have a bottle of A'bunadh that I'm working through. I've tried less than a dozen scotches so far, so I think I'll make my next bottle an older malt.

With all the glowing recommendations about the Nadurra though, it is definitely number two on my to-buy list.

[Ganga]

Nice thing about cask strength whiskies is that you can always add water to bring it down to a point that you enjoy the whisky.

[Malhavoc]

Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy the A'bunadh. I just haven't tried a well aged single malt in a while. As a student, I can usually only afford the cheap stuff.

[dramtastic]

I'm in the Nadurra camp. It's a very different whisky to a'bunadh and some cask strength whiskys are just as easy to drink neat as those that are not and as Ganga says, you can always add water. I certainly don't believe you have to be a seasoned whisky drinker to enjoy Nadurra and here it's cheaper than the two 18YO's mentioned so it'a a no brainer which one I'd take very time.

[The Third Dram]

I might hold off on the Nadurra for now. I have a bottle of A'bunadh that I'm working through.

Please don't let the fact that you have some a'bunadh on the go make you hesitate one single moment as regards the Nàdurra.

For one, the Glenlivet is bottled at what I consider an ideal degree of maturity. Plus, it's drawn from first-fill ex-Bourbon casks, which gives it a flavour profile quite distinct from that of the other Glenlivets. Furthermore, it's a totally different beast taste-wise from the a'bunadh.

Natural cask strength. Not chill filtered. Really, really good whisky!

[pkt77242]

I will agree with the group and say the Nadurra as well, by far the best of the group.

[Knolly]

Don't let age sway you - lots of younger whiskies are better than older ones!

As others have said, I would check out these two bottlings before their rather less exciting siblings:

Glenfiddich 15 Solera
Glenlivet Nadurra 16

By far the best of the regular releases from either distillery IMHO...

And - if you want a tasty example of what aging can do when done right, pick up both Talisker 10yo and 18yo: both are great and you'll see the difference age makes without a bunch of other factors (i.e. wood!) clouding things up.

Enjoy!

[Swedish Chef]

Of the original two I'd go with Glenfiddich. The 'livet is a bit heavy on the wood and a little less fruity than the 'fiddich. Like others have mentioned the Nàdurra is a great whisky and in my opinion better than the 'livet 18.

[Malhavoc]

Talisker 18, and the Fiddich Solera aren't available in my area of Canada

I'll probably go with the Glenfiddich 18, and buy the Nadurra right after. Thanks everyone!