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Glenfiddich 12 vs Glenlivet Founder's Reserve

The short answer

Both are soft, sweet 40% Speyside malts, so this comes down to style. Glenfiddich 12 is malty, with pear and butterscotch; The Glenlivet Founder's Reserve is brighter, with citrus, honey and orange.

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Glenfiddich 12 Year Old

Glenfiddich 12 Year Old

Speyside · 40% · 12 years

Our rating

8.0 / 10

From

£36.96

The Glenlivet Founders Reserve

The Glenlivet Founders Reserve

Speyside · 40% · No age statement

Our rating

9.2 / 10

From

£29.95

Side by side

How Glenfiddich 12 and Glenlivet Founder's Reserve compare

Glenfiddich 12 and Glenlivet Founder's Reserve compared side by side
FeatureGlenfiddich 12Glenlivet Founder's Reserve
RegionSpeysideSpeyside
Age12 yearsNo age statement
ABV40%40%
Our rating8.0 / 109.2 / 10 (better)
Lowest in-stock price£36.96£29.95 (better)
Rating points per £102.23.1 (better)
NosePear, Malt, OakCitrus, Honey, Vanilla
PalateButterscotch, Cream, MaltOrange, Pear, Candy
FinishSmooth, Sweet, LongSweet, Delicate, Brief

Prices are the lowest in-stock price from our partner retailers, last updated 6 October 2026. Check the bottle size on the retailer's page before you buy. Ratings are our own.

Taste

What do they have in common?

Flavours picked out on the nose and palate of each whisky.

Flavours in both

  • pear

Only in Glenfiddich 12

  • malt
  • oak
  • butterscotch
  • cream

Only in Glenlivet Founder's Reserve

  • citrus
  • honey
  • vanilla
  • orange
  • candy
Verdict

Glenfiddich 12 or Glenlivet Founder's Reserve?

Pick Glenfiddich 12 if…

Choose Glenfiddich 12 if you like malty, buttery sweetness and a long, smooth finish, and you'd like a proper 12-year age statement on the label.

Buy Glenfiddich 12 from £36.96 at Master of Malt

Pick Glenlivet Founder's Reserve if…

Choose The Glenlivet Founder's Reserve if you prefer a brighter, fruitier dram — citrus and honey on the nose, orange and pear on the palate. It carries no age statement.

Buy Glenlivet Founder's Reserve from £29.95 at Master of Malt
Knowledge

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, Glenfiddich 12 or Glenlivet Founder's Reserve?
Glenlivet Founder's Reserve is £7.01 cheaper at the lowest in-stock price (£29.95 against £36.96). Prices come from our partner retailers and were last updated on 6 October 2026, so check the retailer's page for the current price.
Which has the higher rating, Glenfiddich 12 or Glenlivet Founder's Reserve?
We rate Glenlivet Founder's Reserve higher: 9.2 against 8.0 out of 10.
Is Glenlivet Founder's Reserve a 12 year old?
No. Founder's Reserve is a no-age-statement (NAS) expression, so it's not directly comparable to Glenfiddich 12, which is aged for at least 12 years. If you want a like-for-like age comparison, look at Glenfiddich 12 against Glenmorangie Original.
Where can I buy Glenfiddich 12 and Glenlivet Founder's Reserve in the UK?
Glenfiddich 12: in stock at Master of Malt, Loch Fyne Whiskies, The Whisky Shop. Glenlivet Founder's Reserve: in stock at Master of Malt. Always check the bottle size on the retailer's page before you buy.

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