One of the world’s best-selling malts. Glenfiddich’s signature #whisky is the world’s most awarded single malt Scotch.
The Speyside is matured in American oak and European oak sherry casks for at least 12 years, it is mellowed in oak marrying tuns.
Appearance: A lovely light gold colour, slightly more yellow than white wine. A thin swirl mark forms and quickly morphs into medium legs. A decent sticky film clings to the glass.
Nose: Quite a substantial ABV wave, given the 40% strength. Lemon pepper (get that a lot recently), black pepper, white grape, confectionary sugars and vegetal notes. It’s almost floral in that there are petal notes, along with nettle and some oak. Tropical notes, although subtle, appear after the glass has had a chance to mature. Melon, mango and maybe even pineapple.
Palate: Thin mouthfeel. The palate doesn’t quite live up to the punchy aromas. There is spice in the form of black pepper and some sweetness (both confectionary and tropical). The palate is friendly enough but is subdued and ‘distant’. Some vanilla custard mellow flavours and stewed green apple, these flavours are all very pleasant, but not smacking me in the mouth.
Finish: Medium in length. The spice and subtle icing sugar linger for a while. There’s also a slight bitterness/citrus element which is nice.
Overall: It’s on a par, price-wise, with some other very good 12-year-olds, just not so where quality is concerned. If I had the choice between this and anCnoc, for instance, I’d go with the anCnoc every time.
