This whisky is aged in American first-fill oak casks that have never before been used for any purpose. According to the Glenlivet, Founder’s Reserve blends in-house whiskies from a variety of ages. Yet another example of the trend towards No Age Statement releases, Founder’s Reserve is said to be “considered a 12 year old Scotch by most.” Appearance: The actual color of this whisky cannot be determined since it is artificially colored. The artificial color is “golden.” As for higher priced Glenlivets, they can be really good. For example, last year I bought a 12 year old 2007 Signatory Vintage that was sold exclusively by The Whisky Exchange. It was aged in a first-fill sherry hogshead (#900216) with a total yield of only 329 bottles. Suffice it to say, the color was 100 percent natural and it was quite dark, indeed. years later in 2014, the Glenlivet released its now-famous 1824 Founder’s Reserve Single Malt Scotch. The offering was meant to compliment its standard 12 year old version, and was branded to honor founder George Smith. According to the distillery, Founder’s Reserve is “created using the time-honoured distillation methods that he introduced so long ago. Made with water from the same crystal-clear mountain streams, in the same cold, pure air, The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve is as smooth and fruity as the whisky that first ran from the original copper pot stills.” Scent: Linen from the dryer, orchard fruits like red apples and white peaches, toffee, yellow raisins.