Hey everyone,
Glenlivet yesterday, Glenfiddich today. Again, one of the most recognised brands and one that is often cited as a good beginner malt. I normally find it has a similar profile to Glenlivet but with more fruit and less floral notes.
Interstingly, despite being huge and making a metric shit-tonne (technical term) of whisky, they still have small direct fired stills, which should give it a more traditional character. Although, I think the only time it can show itself off is at higher strength.
As with Glenlivet, I’m not a huge fan of Glenfiddich, even the older stuff. Never really bottled above 40%, I feel like the character of the spirit is normally too muted. Anyways, here’s my reviews:
Glenfiddich 12 40%
Colour: E150a
Body: Light
Nose: Vanilla, boiled sweets, light and floral, sweet fruit- Apple, pear, peach, bit of toffee.
Taste: Sweet, fruity, lots of vanilla, toffee, oaky, malt, bit of spice, slightly oily.
Finish: Short length. Honey disappears with a bit of oak.
More fruity, less floral than Glenlivet 12, but just as boring.
55/100
Glenfiddich 15 Solera Vat 40%
Colour: E150a
Body: Light
Nose: Very nutty and fruity. Tiny bit of heat, classic apple and pear combo, sweety shop, fragrant and perfumed- Incense, rosewater, lavender, malty chocolate.
Taste: Very light and delicate. Nut- Peanut?, and fruit- Apple and pear, toffee, sweety shop sweets, creamy oak, malty chocolate into the finish.
Finish: Medium length. Apple crumble and milk chocolate.
Similar to the Glenlivet 15 but maybe more sherry influence.
65/100
Glenfiddich 15 Distillery Edition 51%
Colour: Gold
Body: Full
Nose: Dark chocolate, deep fruity flavours- Blackberry, spice- Cinnamon, bit of nut, caramel, some pepper, honey, peach, raisin.
Water: Fruit softens, more herbal. More oak, barley and cereal.
Taste: Sweet, full dark rich fruit, caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, cream. Juicy inteense fresh fruit.
Water: More spice, then more barley and cereal.
Finish: Short/Medium length. Oakiness coming through and dominates, bit of almond.
Non-chillfiltered Glenfiddich is actually good! Well behaved for 51%.
75/100
Glenfiddich 21 Gran Reserva 40%
Colour: E150a
Body: Light/Medium
Nose: Complex. Vanilla and spice, a dusting of nutmeg and cinnamon powder, toffee, vanilla fudge, creamy oak, complex pear- lots of sweet pear, pear drops, sour pear, pear Moams (the chewy sweets), white grape, some apple, honey, raisin, coffee, a layer of spice running under everything.
Taste: Very light and delicate. Soft and creamy, lots of pear, tiny bit of apple, white grape, creamy oak, bit of spice developing, malty chocolate, McVites milk chocolate digestives.
Finish: Medium length. Malty chocolate and spiced oaky tannins.
Last little bit of the bottle- Thanks to my best mate! Still took some time to open up. Rum finish has a light touch.
75/100
Glenfiddich Special Old Reserve 1980's
Colour: Light Gold
Body: Light/Medium
Nose: Oak leaves, oak wood, light dusty fruit- Apple and pear, pear drops, peahc, damp leaves, a bit of youth, vanilla, dusty shelf, bit of toffee. After 5-10 minutes it went sappy with rough coffee.
Taste: Light arrival, cream, very fruity- Apple and pear, very long development with very sweet red apple, apple crumble, twigs and building oaky spice (a bit rough).
Finish: Long length. Lots of coffee.
1/3 full open bottle that was my Step-Granddad's. So, so different to modern Glenfiddich.
??/100- Really don’t know what to mark this. But much more character than the new stuff.
I’ve tasted a few others, The Discovery series, Vintage cask and 25 Rare cask but wasn’t able to make proper notes.
Thanks for reading!
Reviews #273-#277
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