The Glenfiddich Tasting - 21st June - 7pm

[Ganga]

Glenfiddich 18
Brand : Glenfiddich Expression : 18 - Ancient Reserve (circa 2008)
Nose : Apples and oranges, nice maltiness - towards grist Palate : Stewed apples, some maltiness, with very light spices, a little day old grass (after mowing) Finish : Mod. long, with spices coming in over the apples Comment : - Colour : Dark Gold Score : 58
Age : 18 Years Old Vintage : NA ABV : 43% Bottler : Original Bottling	Type : Single Malt Region : Speyside Water : No Ice : No Glass : Glencairn Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[Ian Millar]

TT
I`m scottish and proud of it but it doesn`t make me a half wit, no way I`m backing Coultard over Kimi.
Nice try...
Ian

[Ganga]

I can't believe how much stronger the flavors come through on the 15 even with the differences in proof. 15 is more my kind of flavor profile but the 18 is more refined.

[Ganga]

TT
I`m scottish and proud of it but it doesn`t make me a half wit, no way I`m backing Coultard over Kimi.
Nice try...
Ian

A fool and his whisky is soon parted. Looks like we haven't found a fool yet.

BTW, I had the 30 about 2 months ago at a bar. Wonderful dram. Saving up some money and will get this one by the end of summer.

[les taylor]

Guys My money is on Masa tomorrow and I think Alonso could be the fly in the ointment.

Trying the 30 now.

[Ganga]

In answer to an earlier question, my 15 CS is a screw top. This was picked up in NZ in January.

[Ganga]

Oh, hey les. Glad to see you here. What have been your thoughts so far on Glenfiddich.

[tarjatuunanen]

Ian.. do like Coulthard as well but I think he was great when he was driving with
Mika Hakkinen and Michael Schumacher..unfortunately even Scottish drivers don't mature as well as Glenfiddich does ..
Out of curiosity, does anybody have GF Caoran to taste? Any comments?

[Ganga]

Last October I had the opportunity to try both the Caoran and the Cuban rum finishes head to head. I've concluded that rum finishes aren't my thing after having several others from several other distilleries. But, back to the Glenfiddich.... I didn't really find any differences between the two. Hence my question earlier as to whether there were any differences between the two.

[Willie JJ]

21yo now

Less obvious wood on the nose here than there is on the 18yo. Back to the stewed fruits, still with some vanilla notes but not as overt.

The wood leaps out on trhe palate though. Very spicy, with the cedary notes to the fore.

Again with the nice mouthwatering finish. Like juicy pencils. I must be drunk.

TT I have the Caoran. I will try it after the 30.

[Ian Millar]

Willie
I`m concerned, chewy pencils????
Ian

[Ganga]

Willie still feeling the effects from dramming with Marty?

[tarjatuunanen]

Willie.
looking forward to hearing your comments re. Glenfiddich Caoran.

Ganga,
to my knowledge the US Glenfiddich 21yo is the exactly same than the GF 21yo in all other markets.

[Ryguy]

Keep up the good work everyone, great notes, great drams. Just checking in, back to cooking dinner now.

[Ganga]

Glenfiddich 15 CS
Brand : Glenfiddich Expression : 15 CS
Nose : Green apples and melons (honey dew), very light maltiness, some nice spiciness, sweetness Palate : Woody - spices underlying the flavor of fresh wood oak perhaps, apple cider Finish : LONG, cidery Comment : Apples really come out with a drop of water - nose. Palate has more of an herbal spice feel now. Colour : Medium gold Score : 64
Age : 15 Years Old Vintage : NA ABV : 51% Bottler : Original Bottling	Type : Single Malt Region : Speyside Water : No Ice : No Glass : Glencairn Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[Ganga]

A flyby Ryan? Thanks for showing up early.

[Ganga]

Willie.
looking forward to hearing your comments re. Glenfiddich Caoran.

Ganga,
to my knowledge the US Glenfiddich 21yo is the exactly same than the GF 21yo in all other markets.

Yes, someone brought back one labeled as "Cuban Rum Finish". With the USG and their "feud" we thought it might just be a name change.

[andyt]

Ryanair? Groan.

[Ian Millar]

Willie.
looking forward to hearing your comments re. Glenfiddich Caoran.

Ganga,
to my knowledge the US Glenfiddich 21yo is the exactly same than the GF 21yo in all other markets.

Yes, someone brought back one labeled as "Cuban Rum Finish". With the USG and their "feud" we thought it might just be a name change.

Exactly the same

[Ganga]

Moving along to a new glass and back through the lineup.

[Ian Millar]

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?

Nick
I`m with you, CS 15 would be reat, Kininvie has been bottled under the Hazelwood name.
Ian

[Ganga]

Thanks Ian.

[Willie JJ]

Willie still feeling the effects from dramming with Marty?

Ha ha! yes that was an interesting session. I had an interesting perspective on things the next day .

Still, nobody messed with me in the exam board. I think they could tell I wasn't in a very talkative mood.

[Ras Mazunga]

Any Wardhead notes Willie?

[Ganga]

Poor bottle.

[Ganga]

Glenfiddich 12
Brand : Glenfiddich Expression : 12 yo - not Special Reserve
Nose : Malty, woody (oak), spicey, apples and oranges Palate : cinnamon-sugared apples, herbal spices, a hint of oranges, and a bit of woodiness Finish : moderate, spiced apples Comment : - Colour : Ripe Wheat Score : 48
Age : 12 Years Old Vintage : NA ABV : 40% Bottler : Original Bottling	Type : Single Malt Region : Speyside Water : No Ice : No Glass : Sm Brandy Glass Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[Willie JJ]

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?

Nick
I`m with you, CS 15 would be reat, Kininvie has been bottled under the Hazelwood name.
Ian

I totally agree that a cask strength Solera would be fantastic Ian.

Nick's question re Kininvie was really about a regular or even a more accessible bottling. Are there any plans, or will it just emerge rarely in bottlings like the Hazelwood?

[Ganga]

12 was better the second time around.

[Willie JJ]

Any Wardhead notes Willie?

Was saving that for last Ras, but I will do it before the Caoran I think.

[Ian Millar]

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?

Nick
I`m with you, CS 15 would be reat, Kininvie has been bottled under the Hazelwood name.
Ian

I totally agree that a cask strength Solera would be fantastic Ian.

Nick's question re Kininvie was really about a regular or even a more accessible bottling. Are there any plans, or will it just emerge rarely in bottlings like the Hazelwood?

Can`t see it at the moment with so much pressure on malt stock, the whole whisky industry is under immense pressure due to the new and expanding markets across the world.
But as Sean Connery once said, never say never.

[DanAir]

Hi all - just arriving now. I'll be ducking in and out over the next couple of hours.

I've never been a big fan of the 12 although I have a bottle I got a pressie. Keep it for the guests really. And now, as it turns out, for live whiskymag tastings!

This is the bottom third of a 3yr old bottle so it might have altered slightly. It's actually fairly harmless, very pronounced glenfiddich character, lots of fruit especially pear. The nose is pretty dead but I think that's down to the age of my bottle.

[Dram fine idea]

Hi folks
Just popped in to catch up on the postings.

I reckon there may be an unofficial vote going on as to the best Glenfiddich. I am pleased to see that the 18 is picking up some more favourable comments.

Beyond that, whichever version of GF you like, it is good that people are looking again at Glenfiddich and seeing that it really is an enjoyable dram.

I refer back to Willie's question and the view that, perhaps because it is so popular, it is sometimes seen as being boring and uninteresting. Far from the truth! I have been guilty of thinking that as well. Is it something in the Scottish mentality to put down success? It's good to see people appreciate the success and quality of GF this evening.

Ian - any plans to have a non-sherried, refill bourbon only, GF? Any plans to up the strength to 46% for all/some of the range? Any plans to introduce CS at more ages than the 15? Keep up the good work! Good to see someone else wearing the tartan!

All the best
Steve

[Ian Millar]

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?

Les
the tringular bottle came from a designer called Hans Schleger who was also responsible for the london underground logo.
The bottle was introduced in 1957 for Grants and in 1961 for Glenfiddich.
According to our former chairman it was designed so as not to roll out from underneath the bed in front of your wife.

[Dram fine idea]

Brilliant, Ian, a design classic!

[Willie JJ]

30yo:

Wonderful nose. The vanilla shines through with the marmalade well in the background. Slight cardboard, but works well with the other elements.

Lovely on the palate, like a rich dark oxford marmalade, spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg.

Spices all over the finish.

This is the kind of dram that talks you into thinking that older is better. I'm not sure its significantly more enjoyable than the 18 though. Certainly if money was no object then I would buy this, but the 18 is better £ for £.