This was a press launch I attended on behalf of Tom Thomson – the launch of Glenfiddich Gallery, a luxury bespoke whisky experience site, iPad app and digital experience that (if you’re rich enough) will see you with a completely bespoke bottle of Glenfiddich. Pick the liquid, pick the packaging, get it shipped to you.
During the launch event we were talked through the tasting of four whiskies, and I sneaked a taste of a fifth from Mark Thomson. While the report from the event is on Tom’s blog here, I’ve put the tasting notes here on mine. There are some really interesting whiskies here, a far cry from the ubiquitous bottle of 12, and all were very good. Lots of warnings about this being cask strength whisky – I can handle it chaps!
Glenfiddich 1990, 22 years old, refill bourbon A⊕
Nose – Elegant, light wax and ancient wood. Brightly herbal with light mint, apple and orange.
Body – Spicy, good sulphur, sweet and beautiful.
Finish – Long, spicy and numbing wood. Brighter and more minty than the next one.
Glenfiddich 1990, 24 years old, 12 years in American oak, 12 years in American rum A⊕+
Nose – Slightly more intense wax. Pineapple and sappier wood. Intensity of purpose; dark, sappy and sexy, brown sugar and honeycomb.
Body – Clean, good oily wax, wood oils, very sweet but balanced.
Finish – A little short, sweet apple and honey.
Glenfiddich 18 years old, 30% refill sherry, 70% first fill bourbon, 58% A+
Nose – Muskier, more pastry and custard. A touch of black pepper.
Body – Lovely spice and sulphur.
Finish – Short but good oils on the tip of the tongue. It has a real lime and tropical note to it. Finish is a bit short.
Glenfiddich 27 years old, half that time in American oak, the other half in sherry, 55.3% A+
You won’t see this often or ever again from Glenfiddich. It was matured for 14 years in American oak, then racked for finishing in a new sherry butt, and then forgotten for 13 years. A total sherry bomb to look at, very unusual.
Nose – Intense sherry – milk chocolate, raisin, blackforest cherry. Still has structure but very sweet. Xmas pudding.
Body – Spicy, coffee.
Finish – A long night out – long, tannic and intense.
Glenfiddich 1991, refill hogshead, 55.9%
Nose – Candy sweet, floral, cherry and light cereal.
Body – Spiced wood, candy floss and lolly pop stick. Brightly herbal.
Finish –Very long, light sulphur and boiled sweets. Ripe.
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