The Glenlivet 18 Years
Aged for eighteen years in first- and second-fill casks made from American and European oak. Complex, elegant, and balanced, with a long finish: the series' after-dinner dram.
Four types of casks, eighteen years
The full flavor of The Glenlivet 18 Years comes from combining different types of casks: first- and second-fill casks made from both American and European oak. First fill means the cask is holding whisky for the first time and imparts plenty of flavor; second fill is milder. European oak adds spice and complexity, while American oak brings tropical fruit notes.
After eighteen years, the result is complex, yet elegant and balanced. While the 12 Years is light and fruity, the 18 is full and rich, with dried fruit and orange and a long finish. At 40%, it's easy to drink without adding water.
In brief
Full, rich, and still easy to drink
Dried fruit
Ripe and dried fruit with orange, underpinned by the tropical notes of American oak.
Complex and elegant
Full and rich, yet balanced. The European oak adds spice and depth without making it heavy.
Long
A long, warm finish that gently fades into oak and fruit.
Flavor profile of The Glenlivet 18 Years neat. Fuller and richer than the 12 and 15 Years.
The dram after dinner
The Glenlivet 18 Years is made for the end of the evening. Neat, unhurried, and with time to open up.
Neat after dinner
3 cl in a tulip-shaped tasting glass at room temperature. Smell, wait a few minutes, and smell again: the dried fruit and orange become increasingly distinct.
Glass: tasting glass →With a drop of water
After the first sip, add one or two drops of cool water to the glass. The American oak then reveals more tropical fruit; at 40%, there's no need for more water.
Tasting glasses →With a cheese board
3 cl neat in a heavy tumbler alongside aged Gouda or blue cheese. The richness of the cheese makes the finish even rounder.
Tumblers →An 18 Years in a cocktail?
It can work if you choose a recipe in which the whisky doesn't get lost. Stick to stirred classics with two or three ingredients.
Rusty Nail
Scotch with a small splash of Drambuie over ice. The whisky remains the star.
Rob Roy-style Manhattan
Scotch, sweet vermouth, and bitters. The 18 Years gives it depth and fruitiness.
Old Fashioned
Whisky, a little sugar, and bitters with an orange peel.
Whisky cocktails
All the whisky cocktails in one place, from Penicillin to Hot Toddy.The right glass for The Glenlivet 18 Years
A tulip-shaped tasting glass is the best choice for this whisky. If you're having it with cheese, choose a heavy crystal tumbler.
More flavors of The Glenlivet
The Glenlivet
Where it all began. Visit the brand page to learn all about The Glenlivet: its origins, varieties, and classic cocktails.
To The Glenlivet →
The Glenlivet Founder's Reserve
Orange, pear, and caramel. Smooth and creamy, and the ideal malt for a highball.
View The Glenlivet Founder's Reserve →
The Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve
Rum casks bring banana, toffee, and tropical fruit. A summery malt for ginger ale and tiki drinks.
View The Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve →
The Glenlivet 15 Years French Oak Reserve
Partly aged in Limousin oak. Spicier and creamier than the 12, with nuts and spices.
View The Glenlivet 15 Years French Oak Reserve →
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 18 Years
Can’t find your question here? Read more on the page about The Glenlivet or browse our cocktail recipes.
Everything about The Glenlivet →What is the alcohol percentage of The Glenlivet 18 Years?
What casks does The Glenlivet 18 age in?
What’s the difference between The Glenlivet 12 and 18?
How do you drink The Glenlivet 18 Years?
Glenlivet 18 or Glenfiddich 18?
Buy Glenlivet 18 Years
Want the bottle at home right away? Order Glenlivet 18 Years online at Gall & Gall.
Prices as of November 3, 2026, as provided by Gall & Gall. You can see the current price and stock at Gall & Gall. Glazen.nl receives a small commission if you buy something through these links; you pay nothing extra. No 18, no alcohol.
