The Glenfiddich Tasting - 21st June - 7pm

[Matt2]

Welcome to the Glenfiddich Live Forum Tasting.

The Whiskies

• Glenfiddich 12 Years Old
• Glenfiddich 15 Years Old
• Glenfiddich 18 Years Old
• Glenfiddich 21 Years Old
• Glenfiddich 30 Years Old
• Any other Glenfiddichs you may have...

Date and Time

• Saturday 21st June 7:00pm GMT

Special guest
Ian Millar - Glenfiddich - Global Brand Ambassador & Master Distiller


Handy Links

• Live Tasting Page
• Glenfiddich Tastings from Whisky Magazine
• Glenfiddich Website

Start time - 7:00pm GMT

Samples
For those of you who would like a sample set of Glenfiddich please PM me with a subject message 'Glenffidich Samples' and included your full postal address and statement that you are over 18 years of age. Sorry but UK only this time round for samples.

About...
For those of you who do not know what these are about, they run for generally 12+ hours and we all sit down (at various times) to taste a range of whiskies and share our notes and comments on the forum. Have a look in the Live Tasting forum for past events.

They are a great way to meet people on the forum, chat about your experiences and learn something new about the whiskies you have, and we all end up having a good time.

Please feel free to join in and post any comments or tasting notes you have. Tasting notes can be added using the Tasting Note tab on the postings page.

We look forward to seeing you on the 21st June...

Click Here

[Matt2]

Got a question for Ian Millar?

If you have a question(s) please feel free to post them here and I will pass them so he can prepare, and if you coming later you may miss him so it will be good to get your questions in now...

Of course you still post questions on the day.

[Ganga]

I would like to know:

1. if he or someone from Glenfiddich has tried pairing any of their whiskies with food.

2. which is his favorite from their line.

3. any comments he has on some of the special bottlings released by Glenfiddich such as the 33 and 40 yo expressions.

[les taylor]

I would like to know. I really like the bottle shape. Where did the triangular shape come from? Is it something that they always expect to keep?

[Dram fine idea]

I would like to ask - in the picture, which tartan is he wearing? Why do I ask? I reckon it's a Macfarlane tartan. My surname is Robb and we are affiliated to the Macfarlane clan. I have the 'green' Macfarlane tartan and I reckon he is wearing the same kilt. If we are members of the same clan that would be cool with me!
Slange!
Steve

[Ganga]

Simple reminder for everyone about Saturday. There still time to pick up a sample or bottle.

[Willie JJ]

I would like to ask Ian about the profile of Glenfiddich in the UK. Glenfiddich was the first malt to really be heavily marketed and its success has made it ubiquitous. As a result I find it is often dismissed by the experienced malt drinker as a 'starter malt', or as something that is 'not very interesting' (I'm capable of doing this myself at times). Do Glenfiddich regard this as a problem that needs addressing or is it just a welcome inevitable result of the brand's success?

[Deactivated Member]

Unfortunately I can't be at the tasting, but I have a couple of questions:

will we ever have the chance to buy cask strength Solera Reserve - as it comes, straight from the vat?

when might we see regular bottlings of Kininvie?

[Dram fine idea]

Good question Willie.

[TheTross]

I'd like to know if there any plans for releasing more wine-finished, or maybe fully wine-matured, bottlings.

And yes, along with Nick I'd also be interested about Kininvie's current status.

[mikeymad]

Well I am sorry that I will not be able to join in today. Company picnic with the Kids.

I will add my notes on the 12, 12SR, 15, and 18 later....

But in the 'Spirit' of the day I will be wearing my 'fiddich shirt to the park. Picked up at the Distillery during visit in 2000.....



Let's be safe out there...

Cheers,

[Dram fine idea]

Hi folks

I'm here. Let's get this tasting started!

DFI

[Ryguy]

Hi DFI,
I'm getting ready now, feel free to kick it off!
Cheers,
Ryan

[TreacleSponge]

Evening all

[Ras Mazunga]

Good evening, I'm starting with the 12yo.

[Ryguy]

Good Evening/Afternoon Everyone. Great seeing you all here!!

I'm starting with the 12 (old bottling) Special Reserve in a Glencairn....notes to follow.

[Dram fine idea]

First of all I'd like to say a HUGE thank you to Matt and everyone else involved in sending out samples - much appreciated.

I've started with the standard 12 year old. First dram of the day.

Nose Initially very fresh and fragrant, fruity notes after a while in the glass, toffee and fudge too

Taste Soft, delicate, fruity, fudge, rounded, smooth, touch of spice

Finish More of the same

Comment Very good. I could easily drink this. Not boring at all.

[Dram fine idea]

Evening all. Moving on to the Toasted Oak 12 year old (Cheers Nick)

[TreacleSponge]

OK, I've poured some 12yo.

Glenfiddich 12yo
Brand : Glenfiddich Expression : 12 yo
Nose : Floral and fruity. Pear drops, grass. Palate : Sweet. A little honeyed, boiled sweets, even sugary. Finish : Very short. Comment : Leaves me wondering where that flowery nose was leading. Colour : Pale straw/corn Score : 0
Age : 12 Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 40% Bottler : -	Type : Single Malt Region : Scotland Water : - Ice : - Glass : Glencairn Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

It tastes quite weak. Not entirely insipid, but heading there. P'raps I'm not in the right mood ...

[Ras Mazunga]

Suprisingly good! Didn't have this one for a very long time. I think they made it rounder and sweeter.
Opened this bottle yesterday because I usually find the first dram too spirity.
The first smell was very nice. This whisky doesn't have a lot of citrus in the nose.
Nice vanilla, honey(cream) and hazelnuts. Also some potatoes that I don't like.
Still nothing I would call citrus, I like that.

[Ryguy]

Suprisingly good! Didn't have this one for a very long time. I think they made it rounder and sweeter.
Opened this bottle yesterday because I usually find the first dram too spirity.
The first smell was very nice. This whisky doesn't have a lot of citrus in the nose.
Nice vanilla, honey(cream) and hazelnuts. Also some potatoes that I don't like.
Still nothing I would call citrus, I like that.

New Label 12yo Ras?? or Spec Reserve?

[Matt2]

Hi all, good to see you here. Ian is having a few techinical problems but will be along when he can get online.

[Ryguy]

Glenfiddich 12yo Special Reserve 40%

Glass: Glencairn
Water: None

Nose: Very light, yet fragrant. Freshly cut apples (red delicious), and a strange hint of pine needles.

Palate: Somewhat sweet, very citrus, honey and vanilla, a bit malty.

Finish: Light, more fruits, and very short.

I really enjoy this, and there is no question the last bottle I had really opened up after some time. A very smooth and refreshing summertime malt.

[Ras Mazunga]

Yes Ryguy, this is the new label.

I have to go for a few hours to watch a soccergame. I'll be back in a few hours.

[Ryguy]

Next up, 12yo New Label.

[Dram fine idea]

GF Toasted Oak 12 year old. This one rewards some time.

Nose I smell honey, very sweet, yum yum. This could be from a different distillery from the standard 12. I smell oak and pine needles later, and with this a bit more depth than the standard 12.

Taste First time I tasted it I got honey. Second time I tasted the oak. Second time - very complex and I just wanted to hold onto the flavours longer. A touch of fruit creeping in at the edges and some spice (like the standard 12).

Finish Hangs around a lot longer than the standard 12. The oak/spice carries on. Very pleasant indeed.

Comment This one rewards some time. Very enjoyable. Well worth the effort.

[arkle]

Hi All,
Ive just poured some Special Reserve (no age stated,) no water 40%
V pale almost a green tinge
spirity nose,some vanilla,a little hint of dunnage warehouse(damp,earthy, sweet)
slight floral nose with a hint of spicy wood
Palate, light not unpleasant, lacking complexity
Finish, short,almond
Comment, refreshing,light, lacking depth(what age would this be? I'm guessing about 8 yrs?)

[Matt2]

Not really into writing notes this evening, just enjoying the 12 year old. It's a good solid whisky I think...better than I remember it being.

[Ryguy]

Welcome arkle!!

Matt, good to have you back!
I'm hoping to see some notes from you on the older bottlings.....

[TreacleSponge]

Onto the 15 ... and thanks Matt & Ian Millar for the samples (and The Tross for this one )
Nose: Still fruity but weightier than the 12. Honey, vanilla, mint.
Palate: More body than the 12. Toffee, orange, and a little pepper.
Finish:Long
This is lovely and smooth - much, much better.

[Ryguy]

Glenfiddich 12yo New Bottling 40%

Glass: Glencairn
Water: None

Nose: More oak and malt than the older bottling of the 'special reserve'. Also a hint of sherry that I didn't get from the previous.

Palate: Sweet with citrus still, just the right amount of maltiness (is that a word..haha). I switched back to the Spec Res 12 for a few sips, and this seems less bitter. It's strange because I didn't feel that the Spec Res was bitter, until after trying this and going back.

Finish: Still a somewhat short finish of mixed white fruits and some floral notes.

Thank you Ganga for this sample!!!

[arkle]

Hi Matt
Do you have any Rpecial Reserve there to taste against it; I would be interested to see how the two compare( Im afraid I dont have any 12 yo )

[Ryguy]

Next up 15 Solera Reserve, I can't wait! From here on, I've not tried any of these before, so I'm looking forward to it.

Matt, will Ian still be joining us??

[Matt2]

No special reserve here 'just' the 12,15,18,21,30...

I forgot to put an info sheet with the samples, but they are all from the new range/label at 40%.

The 15 is definitly smoother and a bit sweeter I think, less of the acetone / pear drops, except on the finish maybe.

Ian is trying to get online but is having problems at the moment, hoping he will be able to soon.

[Ryguy]

As I only have a sample and not a bottle of the 15 Solera, I went to the Glenfiddich website to read about it. Very interesting.

The richly layered Glenfiddich 15 Year Old single malt Scotch whisky is matured in three types of oak cask: sherry, bourbon and new oak, before being married in our unique, handcrafted Solera vat. The Solera vat is never emptied but is always kept at least half full. Here, flavours are harmoniously married, creating a whisky of character and intense complexity.