The Glenfiddich Tasting - 21st June - 7pm

[Ganga]

Ian, you just can't fault logic like that.

[DanAir]

Moving swiftly on to the 15 Solera

N: That's more like it! Rich and fruity, almost cidery. Even some wine.
P: Definitely more grown up with more wood influence. More assertive with less of the pear (which I never liked) and more exotic spice. Figs?
F: Dominant flavours recede quite quickly leaving just the alcohol.

The finish is a bit of a let down. I think that from nose and pallate this is excellent and could definitely handle a 46% bottling as DFI suggested. Would love to try the CS.

[DanAir]

Comparing the 15 to the 12, no offense to the folk at the distillery, but I for one wonder whether my slight aversion to the brand is something to do with having mainly experieced the 12. The 15 is a whole different ball game, and I'd definitely buy a bottle.

[Willie JJ]

According to our former chairman it was designed so as not to roll out from underneath the bed in front of your wife.

That's not a problem I've had as my pillow stops the bottle from rolling.

[Ganga]

Ian,

Any thoughts on some of the other bottles not being tried today? There are a couple of single casks (I think they are single) at ages above 30 yo and there is also the 40 yo.

[tarjatuunanen]

Night night all you gentlemen,
have really enjoyed all your comments on Glenfiddich tonight and also tasting
all of them, except the 30yo which I am saving for tomorrow when Iceman Kimi will win the French Grand Prix.
Will login tomorrow to read all the rest of the comments from tonight.
and hopefully will catch up with you in the next forum!!

Good night all and keep on enjoying those drams....
TT

[Ganga]

Glenfiddich 15
Brand : Glenfiddich Expression : 15 - does not say Solera
Nose : Spices are much more up front in this glass - blend of several but include cinnamon and nutmeg, oranges, woody Palate : Still the Christmas cider thing with oranges, some wood but not really oak Finish : medium, Christmas spice Comment : - Colour : Reddish gold Score : 53
Age : 15 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.

[andyt]

Goodnight TT, thanks for your company.

[Ganga]

Just added a drop of water to the 15. Mellows the spices and brings the oranges more forward.

[Ganga]

Goodnight TT; sleep well.

[Dram fine idea]

Goodnight folks, till the next time!

[Willie JJ]

Now for the sample that Ras sent, which says Glenfiddich 99%, Balvenie 1%, 58.4% by the Ultimate:

Pale gold colour

Smells like bourbon first fill. Huge vanilla on the nose. There are pears but they are dusted with custard powder.

Big vanilla on the palate, but it is accompanied by super sweet spices. Cinamon and demarara sugar. A little hint of chilli, but not burning, just sweet. Remarkable!

The finish has you chewing for minutes. Really gets the taste buds flowing. Drys eventually, but not before it has you smiling.

Ras I really wish this sample hadn't leaked because it is really excellent. A dram I could happily drink on a regular basis. Thanks for sending it.

What else do you know about it?

[Willie JJ]

Night TT and Steve. Thanks for joining.

[Ganga]

Ach! I forgot to remind everyone that the poll for July closes tomorrow. I haven't checked how things are going yet.

[Ganga]

Glenfiddich 18
Brand : Glenfiddich Expression : 18 - Ancient Reserve (circa 2008)
Nose : Cooked spiced apples, grains, some woodiness Palate : Lots of malt and spices, cooked/stewed oranges Finish : Long, spicey Comment : - Colour : Dark Gold Score : 55
Age : 18 Years Old Vintage : NA ABV : 43% 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.

[Ganga]

A few drop of water mellows this out. Actually is more pleasant with about 3 drops of water.

[Ganga]

Ok, I'm having the 15 CS again. I will be around for a while but maybe drifting here and there to different threads. If you come in you will likely see me popping in from time to time as I'm in the Pacific Time Zone.

[Willie JJ]

I'll try the Caoran, but I'll have to go and dig it out. brb

[DanAir]

I had a bottle of Caoran a couple of years ago and in contrast to reviews I've read since then I did quite enjoy it. I can't remember if it was fully matured in an Islay cask or if was finished but I remember thinking that the influence was subtle and complementary rather than overwhelming.

[Ganga]

Glenfiddich 15 CS
Brand : Glenfiddich Expression : 15 CS
Nose : Nice spice to this, citrus - oranges and lemons, there's almost a hint of caramel covered apples, just a hint of malt and vanilla Palate : cereals, cinnamon, apples - the three are combined up like the old oatmeal you had as a kid. citrus - oranges, a little feinty and woody Finish : Satisfying, spiced apples Comment : Very interesting presentation. Not better or worse, just different. 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 : Sm Brandy Glass Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[Willie JJ]

I had a bottle of Caoran a couple of years ago and in contrast to reviews I've read since then I did quite enjoy it.

Yeah I've had this open for a while Dan. Don't ever remember thinking that it was anything other than very nice. Let me see:

Sweet and peaty on the nose. Some unusual fruit. Mango maybe.

Hmm, I think the thing is that the flavours, whle pleasant, are not working together on the palate. They seem to be struggling against each other at least initially. Like somebody burnt the jam onto the pot.

This situation continues on the finish. The fruity flavours seem to alternate with the peat with neither prepared to work with the other and neither winning the fight.

Is it unpleasant? No, no its not, but its a hard whisky to rate highly if you are really thinking about it. If on the other hand you are looking for something to drink and not pay too much attention to then its pretty enjoyable.

[Ganga]

A couple drops of water and...

more impact from the nose. However, the palate becomes creamy, almost oily. Lemons, melons, oranges, apples...it's a whole fruit basket.

[Ganga]

Interesting thoughts Willie.

I'll look through the thread here and put together a poll to see what the winner for the tasting is.

[Ryguy]

Ganga!!!!!! Round 2 begins for me now.

[Ganga]

Hurray!

Round 3 is a go.

Grill is started but it is right outside from the computer.

[Ganga]

What glass do you have?

[Reggaeblues]

RB back from a feisty little gig, made even more pleasurable by a couple of drams of the new Glenmo "Nectar D'Or".

Is this the sweetest whisky out there?? Even more so than the GF 21 which I actually drank last night, as I have to be up early and thought I'd better be ahead of the game!

So, the story so far for me is:

12: Much better than I remember! Fresh nose, with zesty Lemon, touch of polish/varnish but integrates well

PALATE: Brought back memories of the 15 which was the last GF I had...but lighter. this feel like a classic light speysider - sweet/dry balance, and well rounded. But definitely the 15's younger sibling! Water brings out a floral note, but better neat.

FINISH. Persistent gentle spice..and a late surge of pepper!

Finally...a butterscotch burp!

21. Had a bottle of this years ago, when me and a friend were booked to play at this event around which there was much mystery. We were very well paid to accompany... the launch of this whisky! What a surprise - and they threw in a bottle!

This had a lovely red gold hue.

A nutty, toasty nose, withth rich, almost rotting fruit. Ripe Pineapple at least...is that the rum?? Hint of chocolate.

PALATE> Sweet or what? Only surpassed by the Glenmorangie Nectar D'Or I had earlier
tonight! One for the sweet toothed among us!Oilier than the 12, with a grassy sweetness, a hint of sweet lime. Reminds me of the Glenmo Sainsbury's Rum finish...but I think I prefer this!(Jim Murray doesn't agree as I recall!)

FINISH>>>Also spices, but less peppery than the 12. Late custard. Yummy, actually, if a tad unsubtle

I then moved on(Friday night) to the 18...which is where I begin tonight.

Nose:buttered toast, oak...and a hint of marzipan! More subdued than the 12 but warmer and deeper. hint of chocolate.

PALATE. Oilier than 12, dryer than 21.. round and luxurious. Malty middle. Mouthfilling. Lovely sweet/dry balance. hint of citrus. is that lime marmalade?

FINISH. Lovely long, clean, sweet sherry note on fade...return of the buttered toast.

Great dram.

"Slight Return to the 21": Sweetest arrival of all. flattens out to orange and lime. Also late marzipan!

wouldn't say no to a bottle, but I can get the same satisfaction in less expensive drams...like Nectar D'Or!

OK. Time to post this and read some more posts. Open the 15...

See you in a sip or two!

[Ryguy]

I'm using a Glencairn and Riedel Crystal SM glass. My large snifter broke just the other day, so I'm limited to these two.

[Ryguy]

Nice notes Reggaeblues!

[Ganga]

Interesting notes RB. Sounds like you enjoyed the whiskies.

Ryan, I have my Celtic Malts glass and a Cadenhead noser ready to go.

[Ryguy]

ROUND TWO BEGINS!

Glenfiddich 12yo Special Reserve 40%

Glass: Glencairn
Water: None

Nose: Still very light like earlier, but it seems more floral now. I can't help but smell apples, although a bitter apple now.

Palate: Starting bitter, yet still sweet (possibly because I just finished dinner). Lots of citrus, with hints of vanilla and malt.

Finish: Light and fruity, seems to have a little more length than earlier.

[Ryguy]

Interesting notes RB. Sounds like you enjoyed the whiskies.

Ryan, I have my Celtic Malts glass and a Cadenhead noser ready to go.

Nice Ganga, I need more glasses to pick from. I really miss my snifter, it was great for the nose.

[Ganga]

Well thanks for the reminder. I do have the 12 SR sample bottle right here. It will follow the 12 yo. Ian indicated they were the same stuff but still it could be from a different time frame.

[Ryguy]

I thought you'd enjoy the Celtic quote..haha. I haven't gone back to read all of the postings yet, Ian was still getting into things when I signed off.

Not sure if it was all in my head or not, but I found the 12 and 12 SR a little diff.

[Ganga]

Glenfiddich 12
Brand : Glenfiddich Expression : 12 yo - not Special Reserve
Nose : Malt, pears, apples. Little to no spices nor wood. Palate : Malt, apples. Spices come in at the end and follow through to the finish. Finish : medium, spices not really apparent in the palate come forth for the finish Comment : - Colour : Ripe Wheat Score : 45
Age : 12 Years Old Vintage : NA ABV : 40% Bottler : Original Bottling	Type : Single Malt Region : Speyside Water : No Ice : No Glass : Celtic Malts Glass Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.