I recently received a press release regarding the winners of the 2024 International Whisky Competition. I was interested in one as it had a well-known single malt whisky in a ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktail:
Best Whisky Based RTD: The Glenlivet Twist & Mix Old Fashioned Ready to Serve Cocktail (Pernod Ricard)
This innovative cocktail impressed judges with its perfect balance of classic Old Fashioned flavors and modern convenience, making it a standout in the rapidly growing RTD market.
Tasting notes provided by Francesco Lafranconi, Master Mixologist: “Rich and smooth whisky base from The Glenlivet, providing a deep and complex flavor profile with subtle notes of orange peel for citrus brightness. Warm baking spices like cinnamon and nutmeg create a comforting feel. The velvety mouthfeel enhances the overall drinking experience, complemented by a well-balanced sweetness. An aromatic finish leaves a lasting warmth on the palate.”
Back to me and the Old Fashioned Review
I found two online reviews for this Old Fashioned cocktail, one was complimentary and the other found the drink lacking, so I was looking forward to making my own decision. This is what I thought of the Old Fashioned:
As suggested, I garnished with an orange peel, which was the first aroma I detected, then came more citrus, cinnamon, and lots of spicy and earthy notes. The scotch whisky flavor was prominent – and welcoming! Lots of spice, citrus, and earthy notes on the palate as well. Spicier than my normal Old Fashioned, but we (my husband and I) agreed that it was very good. (Update and FYI: I brought a bottle to a pal’s house for a small dinner. Someone filmed me twisting off the bottle, but no flavoring dropped in. We looked into the cap and there wasn’t any liquid in it. I re-capped it, shook it briefly, and poured over ice. The flavor must have trickled down earlier as the taste was just as good. So if this happens to you the result should be the same.)
Back to me and the New Manhattan Review
Though this one didn’t receive this prestigious award I was still curious about a second ready to drink cocktail: a Manhattan made with Glenlivet. I looked for online reviews and discovered the same results as above – mixed – but a little more negative. It was time, again, to test for myself.
My husband said, “It’s good!” before I even took in the aromas – a good sign. So, then I dove in to discover honey, scotch whisky, orange, cinnamon, butter, and caramel all on the nose. The taste reminded me of honey, cardamon, very spicy yet that honey smoothed it all out very nicely. All those flavors linger on the palate for a long time. There was nothing negative to say unless you already have something against premade cocktails, which was my perception of the online reviews.
Conclusion
My husband Eddie says it’s hard to beat my Old Fashioned, especially when I use Old Fashioned bitters and bourbon barrel aged Canadian maple syrup instead of plain sugar. The Glenlivet cocktail wasn’t necessarily better, but it was different. And I think when I want more of that spice, earth, and citrus I would easily reach for this bottle again.
As far as the New Manhattan I thought that it tasted different from a normal Manhattan I make at home or order when out – in that there wasn’t all that sweet vermouth on the palate. And I liked that.
More
The “spirit drink”, only holding 375 ml, looks the same as a single malt scotch bottle design. Most ready-to-drink cocktails have a different shape from their spirit original brands or are single serving canned types. The cool trick on this one is that as you twist the cap off you can “watch the (natural) flavours infuse with the Glenlivet single malt”. The outside box also explains that it should be poured “over ice” and to “garnish with an orange peel (cherry for the New Manhattan) for the perfect serve.” The box further reads that this size is “perfect for sharing” and to “refrigerate after opening. Best enjoyed within two weeks.”
I found it interesting that both cocktails by Glenlivet – the Old Fashioned and New Manhattan – were obviously made with their single malt scotch whisky, while both cocktails traditionally are made with bourbon or rye. The only scotch cocktail I make at home is the Rob Roy, and though the other ingredients are usually the same – bitters, sweet vermouth, and a Maraschino cherry and/or citrus garnish – they are not made with the unique flavor of single malt. Even my Rob Roy isn’t made with a single malt, rather, I make it with a blended scotch whisky.
I had put both bottles in the refrigerator before I did the twist off, tasting and review. As the bottles are to be stored in the fridge after opening, I didn’t think it would hurt to store them there until use. I do like my cocktails extra cold too. I also made up a batch of large clear ice cubes to make the cocktail that much more professional in presentation.
The cost of a 375 ml of Glenlivet 12-year-old is $28; this ready to drink cocktail was $24 but the Glenlivet used has no age statement. The small bottles made four drinks each, which equals to $6 per cocktail – and an excellent price for a cocktail in my opinion.
Found both at Total Wine. Great when you want to cheat on making at home, camping, for a party, in a hotel room, or anywhere else you can take a cocktail to go.
Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in the first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Proof Awards, Cellarmasters, LA Wine Competition, Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.
