Glenlivet 16 year old Chivas Brothers
50cl / 56.9%
£199.00
- Malt type: Single Malt
- Region: Speyside
- Chilfiltered: No
- Coloring: No
Tasting Notes
Wildflowers, Dry Fruits, Chocolate Truffles, and Custard
Apple Juice, Cinnamon, and Vanilla
Medium Long Tangy Apple and Cinnamon
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The distillation of pure Speyside tradition, captured in highly limited, single-cask strength form for the Chivas Brothers elite.
At-a-Glance
| Field | Details |
| Distillery / Bottler / Country & Region | Glenlivet / Chivas Brothers (Distillery Reserve Collection) / Scotland, Speyside |
| Category | Single Malt Scotch Whisky (Single Cask) |
| Age / Vintage / Bottled | 16 Years Old / Varies (e.g., 2003) / Varies (e.g., 2020) |
| ABV & Size(s) | Varies (e.g., 58.3% or 56.9%) / 50cl |
| Cask / Treatment | Single Cask: Varies by bottling. E.g., 1st Fill Butt #79825 |
| Natural Colour | Yes (Specific to the DRC series) |
| Non-Chill-Filtered | Yes (Specific to the DRC series) |
| Cask Strength | Yes |
| Bottle count / Outturn | Highly limited (Single cask yield only) |
| Intended channel | Distillery Exclusive / Chivas Brothers staff (Distillery Reserve Collection) |
| Packaging | Standard bottle, 50cl format, detailed variable label data (cask number, ABV) |
| Notes on discrepancies | Cask types determine the flavour and value; the 16 Year Old designation functions as a series age baseline. |
Historical Context
The Glenlivet 16 Year Old Chivas Brothers is released under The Distillery Reserve Collection (DRC), an internal selection policy by Chivas Brothers, the Pernod Ricard-owned business. While the distillery has an enormous modern capacity—one of the largest in Scotland—the DRC offerings are a deliberate demonstration of commitment to the highest quality, rarest components of their inventory, moving beyond the high-volume core range.
This collection is engineered for the discerning collector. The releases are consistently bottled as single casks at natural cask strength, ensuring maximum flavour intensity and purity. This commitment is further defined by the explicit adherence to Non-Chill-Filtered and Natural Colour bottling. This approach positions the DRC as a highly transparent and premium offering that contrasts the scale of the distillery's commercial output.
Technical Specification & Variant Map
The key to valuing this product lies entirely in the single cask specification, as the 16-year age statement is merely the minimum threshold for the series. Every bottling is unique in terms of ABV and flavour profile. For example, a well-documented variant was distilled on 13 November 2003 and bottled 16 years later on 11 March 2020. This particular release, Cask #79825, was matured in a 1st Fill Butt and yielded an ABV of 58.3%.2 The use of a "1st Fill Butt" signifies powerful sherry influence, which results in a highly concentrated and naturally coloured spirit, demanding a significant market premium.
All releases within this collection are presented in the 50cl bottle format.
Documented variants
16 Year Old (56.9% ABV, 50cl)
16 Year Old (58.3% ABV, 50cl, Cask #79825, 1st Fill Butt, Bottled 2020)
Variant Matrix
| ABV | Volume | Cask Type | Era cues | Relative desirability |
| 56.9% | 50cl | Undocumented Cask | Varies (Distillery Reserve) | Moderate |
| 58.3% | 50cl | 1st Fill Butt #79825 | Bottled 2020 | Highest (Strong 1st Fill Sherry Influence) |
Packaging & authenticity checklist
Authentication of this bottling hinges on verifying the variable data on the label: the individual Cask Number, the exact ABV, and the distillation/bottling dates. The 50cl format is standard for the series. Collectors must ensure the label confirms both the Non-Chill-Filtered (NCF) status and that no artificial colouring was added, which are essential premium indicators of the DRC series. Due to the high value, pristine condition is expected, with a verified Top Shoulder (TS) fill level.
Regulatory/terminology notes
The explicit use of "Non-Chill-Filtered" and confirmation of Natural Colour on the label guarantees maximum flavour retention and purity. This is a definitive standard for modern ultra-premium releases. The Cask Strength declaration confirms that the liquid was bottled unreduced at its natural proof, ensuring the highest possible flavour concentration.
Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)
The flavour profile of highly sought-after variants, such as those from 1st Fill Butts, is intensely rich.
Nose: Aromas include sweet bread and butter pudding, often with hints of cloves, raisins, and a touch of black pepper, reflective of powerful sherry influence.
Palate: The taste is rich and highly integrated, featuring tangy plum jam, liquorice, and ginger notes. Subtle elements of scented heather may appear, providing balance to the rich, spicy components.
Finish: The conclusion is long and tantalisingly spicy, characteristic of high-quality, high-strength sherry maturation.
With water: Not stated by the producer.
Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)
The Original RRP (GBP) was approximately GBP 199.00. Current UK retail range (GBP, incl. VAT): GBP 200.00 – GBP 350.00+. Recent UK/EU auction range (GBP, hammer): GBP 67.50 (Historical low for an unspecified cask) – GBP 250.00+ (Estimated high for desirable cask profiles).
Price Snapshot
| Channel | Date | Bottle spec | Price (GBP) | Notes |
| UK Retailer (Online) | Current (2024) | 50cl, 56.9% (Example RRP) | 199.00 | Established price point for the series. |
| UK Auction (Hammer) | 26/04/2023 | 50cl (1990-2006 bottling) | 67.50 | Historical data; likely a less active cask profile. |
| US Retail Estimate | N/A | 750ml equivalent | 139.37 | Avg. price conversion for the series. |
Pricing is heavily stratified by the specific cask type. Casks delivering high flavour impact, particularly 1st Fill Sherry Butts, maintain high demand and strong resistance to auction depreciation. Market liquidity is high for premium, cask-strength single-cask releases, particularly those boasting strong sherry influence.
Distillery/Bottler Snapshot
The Glenlivet is a foundational distillery of the Speyside region, operating today with immense scale. Chivas Brothers utilises the Distillery Reserve Collection to uphold the prestige of the brand, offering highly limited, uncompromised expressions that celebrate the depth and quality of the spirit.
Sourcing
Target formats/eras: Acquisition efforts should focus on bottles explicitly specifying high-impact maturation, such as 1st Fill Sherry Butt or unique, active wine finishes. Specific cask numbers, such as #79825, should be targeted for optimal value.
Red flags to avoid: Bottles lacking complete Cask Number and maturation data should be approached cautiously. Avoid casks with significantly lower ABVs.
Condition thresholds: Pristine condition is required (TS fill level). Specific verification that the cask details on the label align with highly desirable maturation profiles is necessary.
Margin/velocity expectations: Excellent margin potential (40%+ on RRP) is achievable for highly desirable cask profiles. Velocity is high due to strong global demand for single-cask, cask-strength Speyside sherry malts.
