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Friday 22 January 2021

A SUPERB COLLECTION OF TOP CLASS GLENFIDDICH BOTTLINGS

 MOST MEMORABLE GLENFIDDICH RELEASES

                                              

GLENFIDDICH 21 YO RESERVA RUM CASK FINISH 40% ABV

An exquisite, traditional Speyside whisky finished in Gran Reserva rum casks from the Caribbean.

Patiently matured for 21 years onsite at the distillery, it is an exquisite, traditional Speyside whisky, rich and ripe with Glenfiddich signature notes. But rather than bottle it, as other distillers would, Glenfiddich’s Malt Master hand picks selected barrels and adds a sublime finishing touch, making it even warmer and richer flavours by uniquely pouring this single malt into first fill bourbon barrels that once contained rum from the Caribbean.

The rum-soaked cask infuses the aged whisky with a spicy warmth and indulgent vanilla and toffee sweetness, the character of the Caribbean shining through. This gives the whisky a sumptuous sweet intensity that is both rich and creamy yet retains the unmistakable character of Glenfiddich. Caribbean rum casks awakens the liquid, rousing it with extra exotic notes of ginger, fig, lime and banana and a vibrant spicy toffee warmth, elevating it from something great to something extraordinary.

Great for those expecting a very mature, traditional yet intriguing malt. Initially soft, then brisk, vibrant and drying. New leather and oak nose combine with complex sweet, smoky and subtle ginger flavours in this classic Glenfiddich.

Colour: Dark gold.

Nose: Intense and vanilla sweet. Floral, hints of banana, figs, rich toffee, new leather and oak.

Palate: Initially soft, then brisk, vibrant and drying, peppery, a touch of smoke, oak, lime, ginger and spices.

Finish: Very long, warming, dry and spicy.

Raised in Scotland. Roused by the Caribbean.

THE CHINESE NEW YEAR EDITION 2021

This is a limited edition bottling of the Glenfiddich 21 Year Old Reserva Rum Cask Finish single malt Scotch whisky released to honour the Chinese New Year 2021. 

After maturing the whisky for 21 years, the Malt Master adds even warmer and richer flavours by uniquely finishing this single malt in first fill bourbon barrels that once contained rum from the Caribbean.

2021 is the year of the Ox, starting from February 12th, 2021 (Chinese lunar New Year Day) and lasting until January 30th, 2022. It will be a Metal Ox year.

It features a particularly snazzy presentation box, with the familiar Glenfiddich stag decked out in a rather handsome shade of orange for the occasion, and an homage to the long journey Glenfiddich takes to make its way from Speyside to Asia in the background.

As in the original edition, the additional molasses found in the rum cask sets the 21 YO Reserva aside from the rest. This rum-like single malt features a new form of enjoyment through the introduction of a Caribbean flavour, famously recognised by the use of a variety of tropical fruits mixed with ginger to deliver a sweet and spicy taste that lingers to the finish.

GLENFIDDICH GRAND CRU 23 YO SINGLE MALT WHISKY 40% ABV

Celebrate the occasion

THE ART OF EXPERIMENTATION

After developing rich and intense flavour through a long, 23-year maturation in American and European oak casks, every drop of Grand Cru then spends an additional six months in French cuvée casks, which impart new layers of decadence. The remarkably rich whisky, already intense in flavour given its long maturation, is finely finessed with influences from French cuvée casks. These vessels were previously used to ferment wine that would in time go on to becoming Champagne. This is the only Glenfiddich Single Malt to undergo this exceptional finishing.

DARING & UNEXPECTED

Grand Cru encapsulates the absolute spirit of luxury and craftsmanship of Glenfiddich while surpassing the very notion of Single Malt, as it sets out to redefine moments of celebration through a new and extraordinary drinking experience.

Created for the non-conformists, it has been uniquely crafted as a surprising delight, at every sip, for those tearing up the rule book and who want to celebrate big life moments in a whole new way. Grand Cru 23 Year Old is a sinful romance between the rich, decadent flavors of Glenfiddich single malt Scotch whisky and the vibrant, seductive notes found in the world’s best vintage sparkling wines.

THE SPIRIT OF CELEBRATION

This exclusive Glenfiddich expression has been matured for 23 years in American and European oak casks and elegantly finished in rare French cuvee casks. The finest flavours from Scotland and France have been fused together through the art of experimentation, to redefine moments of celebration and create a new and extraordinary drinking experience.

Colour: Dark gold.

Nose: this release is quite rich and honeyed, leaning toward the more decadent side of the spectrum, as is probably appropriate for the occasion theme. Moderately assertive notes of apple, pears in syrup, grass, melon/ cantaloupe and nut-covered toffee. It certainly is an inviting bouquet; classically Speyside but richer than you might expect for the low proof.

Palate: A silky-textured dram that drinks a bit bigger than its proof, which is always a good thing in lower-ABV special releases. Silky in texture, it features some nice flavours of milk chocolate, nutty toffee and spiced pears, with subtle hints of grass and earth in the back half. Honeycomb-like residual sweetness is moderate, and booze is very well hidden, which it should be at this age and proof. All in all, it makes for a moderately rich and fruity, somewhat sweet dram that is approachable yet complex. A bit higher proof might have pushed these elements into even more rarefied air, but regardless, this is a solid release that almost anyone would presumably enjoy.

Finish: Long, opulent and sweet: Poached pears, custard, candied lemon.

If money is for some reason no object this New Year, Glenfiddich Grand Cru would make a lovely centerpiece.

Opinion: The whisky showcases what can happen when it does go beyond its safety net. Glenfiddich’s new high-roller Grand Cru release, a 23 YO, has a theme which really pops from the swanky black-and-gold bottle, a vision of a supreme “occasion” whisky, seemingly targeted at New Year’s Eve in particular. That the whisky was finished in French cuvée casks (sparkling wine) only adds to this impression. It’s a whisky that seems to imply it’s the scotch equivalent of a plush bottle of bubbly you’re cracking open as the countdown to the year end draws near.

It is bottled at a minimal 40% ABV, with a 43% version available to travellers. For its steep cost of £210, it should have been a 46% non-chillfiltered year ender. But that would rouse the expert, whereas this low strength is clearly meant for a 31st December one-session binge.

Daring and unexpected, Grand Cru encapsulates the rich spirit of innovation and craftsmanship of Glenfiddich with the celebratory and indulgent character of sparkling wine.

GLENFIDDICH EXCELLENCE 26 YO 43% ABV

Deep oak, spring blossom, brown sugar and exotic spices.

The expression was introduced in 2014 as the distillery’s second bottling in their excellence range, following the 18 year old. Unlike all the other expressions in the Glenfiddich age statement range, this is the only current bottling which forgoes sherry influence for a pure ex-bourbon maturation. It’s bottled at 43% ABV and is available for £359.

A rare and aged single malt Scotch whisky that has spent 26 long years carefully maturing in American Oak ex-bourbon casks. This expression was created to honour Glenfiddich's line of continuous family ownership since William Grant founded this distillery in 1887.

Doing things our own way means we can create a luxurious single malt that truly lives up to its name. We’ve created a vibrant yet soft and delicate expression, with a deep and complex balance of sweetness and dry oak tannin. Bound to excite the palate and awaken the nose.

Glenfiddich Excellence 26 Year Old whisky is available in selected markets.

Colour: Rich golden.

Nose: Soft and delicate with a beautiful floral character. Fruit-forward with peaches, apricots, pineapple and guava. Wild honey and crisp furniture polish is joined by vanilla sponge, coconut shavings and freshly-pressed waffles. Running throughout – full grain leather, old parchment, steeped fruit tea and scattering of mint leaves. There’s not too much scope for dilution, but a few drops adds some expressive orchard fruit – apple and pear alongside strudel and golden syrup. Generally light, fruity and sugar-led, but pretty elegant and welcoming at the same time.

Palate: Vibrant with a compelling balance of dry tannin and soft brown sugar vanilla sweetness. The arrival has more of a syrupy body than you’d expect from 43% - it offers some texture and mouth cling. Juicy ripe fruits are up first – orange, mango and peach segments served with spit-roasted pineapple. Fruit is quickly followed up with cask – and it has considerably much more influence than on the nose – white pepper, freshly grated ginger and some puffs of charred cask ends. Running throughout – wood lacquer,  polishes and a handful of candied lemon peels. Reduction here should be approached with care – but it adds flavours of burnt honeycomb, freshly-baked pastries and spiced apples. A deep oak flavour gradually builds, with hints of spice and liquorice shining through.

Finish: Deep and complex. Tropical fruits and peppery spice fade into the back whilst charred drying wood takes over.

Glenfiddich Excellence 26 year old is not overly deep, nor profound, but it is nevertheless exceedingly tasty. The fruit-packed nose is genuinely the excellence that the bottle name refers to  - packed full of expressive stone and tropical fruits, all wrapped up in a perfectly judged polished oak blanket. The palate and finish don’t quite reach the same dizzy heights, but they’re still both full of vibrancy, poise and elegance. There’s not quite enough depth for this to be a truly contemplative whisky, but the balance is faultless.    

Toasting The Cask Releases The Flavour: After their staves are assembled, each cask is toasted over an open fire. Toasting enables the vanillins and the tannins in the wood to be released, giving the contents flavour and colour. A light toasting imparts subtle flavours while a heavily toasted cask delivers strong and powerful flavours, as well as a darker colour single malt.

GLENFIDDICH 30 YO RARE SINGLE MALT WHISKY 40% ABV

A 30 YO with deep, layered flavours and a masterful finish.

The Glenfiddich 30 Years was first launched in 2007 and saw new editions in 2010 and 2018. It is one of their high-end single malt bottlings, topped by the 40 and 50 year-old versions in the core range. It is matured in American bourbon casks and around 30% of European Oloroso sherry casks. Every cask used in this superb single malt Scotch whisky is personally nosed and tasted by their expert Malt Master, ensuring the whisky achieves its rich character and seductive complexity. Only casks that pass his exacting standards are handpicked and then married together to achieve their final sublime harmony.

This process ensures the unique character and richness of taste that sets the Glenfiddich 30 Year Old apart. The rarity of this single malt is unquestionable – there are only ever a handful of vattings of 30 Year Old a year.

This sublime and truly precious whisky is a harmony of subtle sherry and fig notes beautifully balanced with rich dark chocolate flavours.

Colour: Rich bronze.

Nose: A finely balanced nose, with substantial oakiness matched by fruit and luscious sherry notes. Really gentle, even a bit shy. Stewed fruits (peaches, oranges, plums) and a few buttery touches, with a malty core, ginger and nutmeg. Polished furniture, a hint of cigar boxes. A little cocoa, raisins and roasted nuts as well, but all silky smooth.

Palate: Complex and seductively woody, emphasised by a floral sweetness, yet really gentle, even a bit shy. Stewed fruits (peaches, oranges, plums) and a few buttery touches, with a malty core, ginger and nutmeg. Polished furniture, a hint of cigar boxes. A little cocoa, raisins and roasted nuts as well, but all silky smooth.

Finish: Exceedingly long, honeyed and warm, with chocolate notes, leather and oak spice.

A Cooper’s Craft: These casks are as valuable as the specialist wood craftsmen who build and tend to them. Glenfiddich is one of the only distilleries to have their coopers onsite – enduring traditions that keep their casks and whiskies exceptional.

Rare skills, specialist knowledge and some of the oldest wisdom in the world of whisky have been passed down through the generations.

GLENFIDDICH 40 YO 43-47% ABV

Intense dried fruit, roasted coffee, stewed apple, bitter chocolate and faint peat.

Glenfiddich 40 YO is not only precious but also pioneering. Their Malt Master carefully hand selects individual casks before marrying them together with what was left over from the previous 40 Year Old vatting. This continuous process is known as "remnant vatting" and contains whiskies that are at the very least, 40 years old. Glenfiddich is the only single malt Scotch whisky in the industry to use remnant vatting. As a result, its uniquely rich and deep flavour was voted the "Best of the Best" single malt by Whisky Magazine in 2003, collected the Trophy at both the ISC and the IWSC in 2008 (the first time any whisky has won both in the same year) and Best Single Malt at the ISC in 2010.

An exemplary single malt. Handpicked from some of the oldest casks in the world, marrying 40 year old vattings to craft a peerless whisky. Infinite depth and layer upon layer of aroma and flavour create a 40 year old unrivalled by other rare whiskies of this age. Each elegant bottle is individually numbered and offered in a handsome presentation case of the finest, hand-stitched calf-leather with embossed print work and an intricately designed lock and key. Each is accompanied by a leather bound book telling its 40 year old story, with certification hand-signed by their longest-serving craftsmen.

The Finest Oak: Their 40 Year Old is matured in the finest Ozark Mountain American oak, from forests stretching between Missouri and Arkansas; and the highest quality European oak from Spain and Portugal. The bourbon and sherry opens up the oak letting it breathe, soften and absorb layers of subtle flavour that grow and change over time.

Less than 1000 bottles are released to the world each year, each batch eagerly anticipated by experts.

Colour: Dark mahogany.

Nose: Beautifully rich and aromatic with layer upon layer of dried fruits, dark chocolate, roasted coffee and ripe black cherries. Occasional wafts of gentle wood smoke, polished leather and cloves.

Palate: Aged, but still incredibly vibrant considering it's age. Silky smooth and luxuriously mouth coating. The typical Glenfiddich Speyside characteristics come through; initial flavours are intense dried fruits, Christmas cake, dates, raisins and stewed apples. Over time slightly dryish oak notes appear with some bitter chocolate and just the merest hint of peat.

Finish: Incredibly long lasting and complex – a truly memorable experience.

Fermentation in Douglas Fir: Glenfiddich believes the biological interaction between wood and wash even in fermentation plays a part in the final character of their whisky. So they continue to craft their washbacks from Douglas Fir, where others use stainless steel, a tradition that protects the integrity of their whisky.

GLENFIDDICH 50 YO 46.1% ABV

Vibrant, zesty, vanilla toffee and gentle smoke.

Only the second vatting and one of the oldest, finest whiskies. Just 50 bottles of this single malt Scotch whisky are released each year. One of the final 50 bottles of the expression, this bottling was unveiled in 2017, marking Glenfiddich’s 125th year. The 50-year-old blend contains whiskies first distilled more than 80 years ago!

Handcrafted and Presented...Presented in a hand-blown bottle. Individually numbered in wax and finished in Scottish silver by Thomas Fattorini, a sixth generation silversmith. Each bottle of the 50 YO single malt whisky is carried in hand-woven silk and encased in hand-stitched leather. The whisky’s presentation case also features a leather-bound book, detailing the whisky’s rich history.

A culmination of over a century of expert craft, traditions passed down by five generations and spirited invention. Inspired by the first vatting from just nine casks honouring each of William Grant’s nine children, who helped to build Glenfiddich by hand.

This exquisite whisky was drawn from two exceptional casks, both matured for 50 years. Their Malt Master married them with great care to craft a perfectly harmonious aroma and flavour.

Colour: Pale gold.

Nose: A beautifully harmonious, uplifting, vibrant and complex aroma. Delicate rose petal and violets intertwine with green tobacco leaf, oak and faint hints of smoke.

Palate: Initially very sweet, with zesty orange marmalade and vanilla toffee, cascading through layer after layer of aromatic herb, floral and soft fruits, silky oak tannin and gentle smoke.

Finish: Exceptionally long, with a touch of dry oak and the merest trace of peat.

MORE THAN 120 YEARS IN THE MAKING

Time, tradition and a Malt Master’s expertise make this whisky. Nosed more than ten times by our longest serving Malt Master and the Malt Master before him. Casked in the 1950s by Gordon Ross, who learnt his skill from the son of the founder, a skill passed on to him from founder, William Grant.

Rare, sought after, historic.

1 comment:

  1. Good Post, very informative, thanks for sharing with us. Keep sharing.

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    ReplyDelete