The best Glenfiddich

[Lugarteniente]

What glenfiddich do you prefer of that?

[Lawrence]

If I could have I would have picked both the 15 and the 30 but the poll was flawed.

[bamber]

The 18yo is the best for me closely followed by the 15yo. I've had one dram of the 30yo and thought it was nice but it was not really enough for me to work it out. I've drunk plenty of the 12yo in pubs and got through a couple of bottles. Easy to drink but lacking complexity.

The 18yo is a great dram. Try mixing it with Laphroaig CS for a treat - honest it's great

[Admiral]

I voted for the 30yo. That healthy dose of white chocolate present is too good to ignore.

I'm inclined to agree with Jim Murray. The old NAS was better than the current 12yo.

The Havana Reserve 21yo (or Gran Reserva as it's now known) was sensational when it was first released, but subsequent releases have deteriorated dramatically. I now find it to be a very unpleasant dram.

Cheers,
Admiral

[TheLiquorBaron]

I agree with Admiral , although I am uncertain if I tasted white chocolate? From what I remember....
Nose
-Vanilla, almonds
Taste
-roasted almonds,chocolate
Finish
-smooth,long

Overall
Bearing in mind that I have only really just started to sample different brands and varieties....
-I would rate this 8/10. I thought the complexity of the spirit wasn't too deep for a novice to grasp, yet I could taste a lingering finish that would only expand on further development of my palatte.
Many say that Glenfiddich is a whisky for the beginner, but I have to say that each persons individual taste is just that...I will happily knock back another 30yr old in say 5 or so years when my palatte developes further.....not to mention the 1991 vintage reserve!!!

[Tom]

The 21 Havanna Reserve. Closely followed by the 30Y old. Anxious to read notes on the vintage bottlings though.

Best Fiddich I tasted was a 15Y old at cask strength in new wood. Unfortunatly this was part of a solera tasting where we could taste the different elements that make up the solera reserve, and the elements will not be bottled on its own, too bad.

[Scotchio]

Didnt get on with the 12 or the special reserve but the solera is a wonderfully smooth,balanced dram with feels like a more expensive older whisky. Best thing is it's also cheep as chips so it is unlikely that I'd bother with the other bottles. Think I'd find the law of diminishing returns coming into play. I'm new to this site,how do you vote?

[Scotchio]

Don't answer that last question,all is clear.

[TheLiquorBaron]

Anxious to read notes on the vintage bottlings though.

Tom I have been invited to have a dram of the 50yr old, so when I go for the dram I will take notes and then post them up here. - Hopefully in only a couple of weeks

I will also be having a sample of Glenfiddich 28yr old Dist. 64' in the coming weeks so again I will make certain I take notes and I will post them here.

[mar_mcdo]

i had a dram (or 2 or 3) of a single cask 30y at whisky live in glasgow this year. it was amazing, beautifully sweet and woody, lots of spice, really smooth! well at least i think it was....i had quite a few over the course of the weekend. the balvenie 23y single cask was a treat aswell. wish i could remember more about all i tried that weekend, they all begin to merge into one.....

[mar_mcdo]

forgot to cast my vote, lol. went for the solera, fantastic 15 y. managed to get through a few bottles with my friends, good job my dad gets a few bottles a year on allocation so no need to pay....makes them taste even better!

[susywong]

For me, the Solera wins every time. It is sublime straight from the Solera vat at cask strength.. Yum

I've tried a fair few GFs, 12, 15, 15 cask strength, 18, 21, 30, 40, 50....1971 vintage and a couple more from the cask on various tours.... but would still have to go for the Solera...every time...

Cheers
Susan

[jimidrammer]

I voted for the 15yo Solera as I've only had a trio of mini bottles, 12, 15, 18. The 30yo is $250US so I'm not that curious. If they would bottle something over 40% abv I might try it.

[Scotty Mc]

It depends, I've tasted a few amazing 12yo 'fiddich's and some not so good. Same with the 15 and 18yo.

Too close for me to call

[toshie]

I've gone for the 18. I had a dram last week in the Pot Still and was really taken by its smoothness. A good mouthfeel and a definite smokey orange taste. I remember years ago drinking the standard 'fiddich and ice in Aberdeen when I knew less about malts than I know now (!). Then it was OK, now the standard 12 is an eminently quaffable dram and a standard in my cupboard.

[SpiritofShetland]

Having sampled the Solera straight from the Vat I must say that was heaven.

So to Glenfiddich: Won't you please bottle the Solera at Cask Strength, pretty please.

[Deactivated Member]

I haven't tried tht 30yo, but of the rest I think for it's balance, the solera 15yo would be my preference. Would love to try it at cask strength.

[Deactivated Member]

That wasn't a perk from the standard tour, was it, SoS? That would definitely make it worth taking.

The "smoothness" of the 18 is exactly why it has never really thrilled me. I'll admit that Murray gave me second thoughts, though.

[SpiritofShetland]

I've gotten to sample a minute sample during the extended Connoisseurs Tour, and then a huge sample during the 'Seven Stills Tour' at the Speyside Whisky Festival.

Just to add to the confusion:
Here in Norway (and probably in the rest of the world as well) Travel Retail/Tax-free shops get Glenfiddich at 43%, contrary to the normal 40%. This is, in my book, a big improvement as it gives the whisky a little bit more body and flavour (still prefer it at cask strength though).

[Badmonkey]

I have the 12, 15, and 18 side by side in Glencairn glasses this very moment. The 12 continues to bore me, so it's out of the running.

Nose: I'd give the 15 Solera a nod. As much as I love the phenol and fruit of the 18, the prefer the spice of the 15.

Taste: I'll confess my utter slavery to honey at the outset and give myself over to the 15. A hint of peanut butter would have sent me over the deep-end. The 18 starts off a bit salty and the lets loose the fruit. Very tasty.

Finish: While the 15 tails off with sherry, the 18 catches its second wind and gives you a mouthful of chewy cocoa. Yummm. The 18 gets the nod.

Balance: How do you choose? They both fire on all cylinders here.

The Solera 15 takes it by a nose.

[Deactivated Member]

Thanks, 'monkey! I was on the edge of my seat. Nicely described.

[bond]

I voted for the 18 yo. There have been several questions on the best all-round malt and most recommenations are for Highland Park, Glenlivet and the like. To mind, nothing comes close as the best balanced and complete malt.

[irishwhiskeychaser]

The 18yo is also very popular in the potstill in Glasgow as it appears the only quality malt with 2 bottles on the go all the time.

[toshie]

The 18yo is also very popular in the potstill in Glasgow as it appears the only quality malt with 2 bottles on the go all the time.

That may have been last week, since Ken got a special deal on pricing, and passed that on to the punters

[irishwhiskeychaser]

The 18yo is also very popular in the potstill in Glasgow as it appears the only quality malt with 2 bottles on the go all the time.

That may have been last week, since Ken got a special deal on pricing, and passed that on to the punters

Fair play ... did not really ask about it just saw 2 fairly full optics on the go and the next day one was nearly empty while the other was being changed. Not bad selling for a 24hr period.

[toshie]

Yeah, £2.50 for a dram of 18 is pretty reasonable

[toshie]

Are we allowed to change our minds half way through the poll? I tried the Solera 15 last night and it may even displace Laphroaig Quarter Cask as my current favourite. It had a depth and subtlety, full of sweet spice and is definitely moreish. I've had the triple pack of the 12, 15 and 18 for a while now, so may be tempted to open it this weekend.

[Robocod]

I voted for the 15yo. Made a great impression on me. I then decided to give the 18yo a try due to its popularity but.... Tastes watery, short finish. But I have a whole bottle that can change my mind

Robocod

[Badmonkey]

I hope it will change your mind over time, Robocod. It's a dram I have really come to love.

Welcome to the forum!

[Dubois]

Liked Solera Reserve 15 years a lot ,but lately I tried Ancient Reserve 18 years and I was stunned... this is absolutely great stuff.
So I voted for the Ancient Reserve 18 years .

[Muskrat Portage]

My top one isn't there: Glenfiddich CS 51% 15 yo Ancient Reserve. Acquired in Feb 1999 for the New Years dram,with a price tag that says $58.80. So I vote for the 18 yo which is my #2 Glen. Pete

[Aidan]

I'm glad the Solera Reserve 15 years is doing well. I don't like Glenfiddich in general, but this is a wonderful whisky. I have not tasted enough of the others to vote, though.

[Sherried Malt]

I had a chance to try the 15 YO Solera and the 18 YO Ancient side by side. I have to admit I was a bit disappointed with the Solera after reading some of the positive comments here. It's certainly a very nice drink and I'd happily drink it any day, but I would not call it special.

Otoh, the Ancient is definitely worth seeking out. Bigger and more complex, a greater difference than would be expected if you were to just compare them by their age difference...

[Deactivated Member]

Otoh, the Ancient is definitely worth seeking out. Bigger and more complex, a greater difference than would be expected if you were to just compare them by their age difference...

I'd have said just the opposite--the 18 is very nice, but the 15 is really interesting. But that's what makes the world go 'round, and it's a good thing, or half of us would have really bad sunburns.

[korolev]

hello,

i had my first dram of the fiddich 12yo sr yesterday night. it's quite a sad dram without much character, no hidden flavours. a little diluted/watery? an easy-beverage? the 12yo sr does have its moments, but rather short-live. i never knew what full body means but if it is what i think it is, the fiddich 12yo sr does carry a bit of body and some peat.

sad maybe because i had reasonable expectations, especially with it being quite a reputable dram. the best experience with this dram was when i nosed it. it is still in my nose.
i wouldn't recommend this dram (despite being new to single malt myself).

can't wait for my next purchase. most likely a talisker 10, laphroaig 10 and ardbe uigedail.