The Glenfiddich Tasting - 21st June - 7pm

[Willie JJ]

Interesting thoughts Willie.

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

For me the 30 was marginally the best dram. However I would rate the 18 much higher than the 21 and only marginally behind the 30. Given the huge price differential between the two my vote goes to the 18.

[Ganga]

As always Ryan. I'm tired of the LA radio sports talk right now. You'd think we only had the Lakers.

[Ryguy]

Glenfiddich 12yo Special Reserve 40% (alternate glass)

Glass: Riedel Crystal
Water: None

Nose: Stilll very llight on the nose. This glass clearly isn't meant for nosing (well not my nose anyway). Still lots of citrus and mixed white fruits for me.

Palate: Ok my palate is back to where I need to be. Just took one to get things going again. Honey sweet, a hint vanilla, some spice.

Finish: Short but the honey is hanging around some.

[Ganga]

I didn't have the 30 nor the 21 today. However, it is recent enough to place them in an order. The 30 I had was so much for intense than it's younger rivals. I believe the bar has had the bottle for about 2 years. Next is the 15 CS followed by the 15.

I think my bottle of 18 is getting better now that it has been open for three weeks. Originally it was like overripe cereals. Now it is much closer to the profile of the 15. My 12 has also evolved quite a bit. It was extremely fruity when I first got it. It's spicier now. The fruity nature was so different from the others that it was almost like a completely different malt.

It will be interesting to see how people do vote. I think that there will be a mixture of votes.

Interesting thoughts Willie.

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

For me the 30 was marginally the best dram. However I would rate the 18 much higher than the 21 and only marginally behind the 30. Given the huge price differential between the two my vote goes to the 18.

[Ryguy]

Good to still have you around Willie!! I enjoyed the 18 as well, glad to hear it rated so high compared to the 21 and 30.

The 15 CS was really good IMO, I just prefer CS anyway, as I think you can get more out of it.

[Ganga]

Glenfiddich 12
Brand : Glenfiddich Expression : 12 yo - not Special Reserve
Nose : Malt, bananas and melons, some wood and spices Palate : spicey, citrus, cereals, oranges. Finish : Moderately long and very cinnamony and spicey 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 : Cadenhead Noser Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[Willie JJ]

Next is the 15 CS

The 15 CS was really good IMO, I just prefer CS anyway

I didn't have the 15 CS guys, but I'm also a sucker for CS whiskies. The (CS) sample that Ras Masunga sent me was probably the best of the night, but I didn't mention it as the label he put on it says it is 1% Balvenie and maybe it's the 1% that makes the difference.

[Ganga]

Ryan, moving on to the 12 Special Reserve...split 4 ways.

[Ganga]

Next is the 15 CS

The 15 CS was really good IMO, I just prefer CS anyway

I didn't have the 15 CS guys, but I'm also a sucker for CS whiskies. The (CS) sample that Ras Masunga sent me was probably the best of the night, but I didn't mention it as the label he put on it says it is 1% Balvenie and maybe it's the 1% that makes the difference.

Willie, take the 15 and put it on 'roids. Even though the 18 is a little more refined, the extra proof takes it much further.

[Ryguy]

Moving along to the Glenfiddich 12yo New Bottling 40%
Part 1, Riedel will be next.

Glass: Glencairn
Water: None

Nose: I still say there is some oak present and a bit of malt. And something sweet, not sure what though.

Palate: Starts sweet with some apples and malt.

Finish: Pretty much a short finish, some spice comes out in the end.

Thanks again Ganga for the sample!!!

[Ryguy]

Ganga, that's about how I put it earlier, I said the 15 CS was pretty much a spiked 15, and def much better. Can't wait to get back to that one.

12yo new label in a Riedel now....

[DanAir]

Now into my 18, which is the final in my 3-part collection of GF tonight.

N: subdued, though fruit notes are still present. Coconut.
P: Cracking! Really comes of age at 18yrs having lost any of the objectionable characteristics I don't like in the 12 and becoming a really rounded dram. Tangy. Melon.
F: Much better finish - following the 15 which I found a little disappointing the finish here really finds its feet (metaphorically, luckily) and completes the package.

Therefore, 18 yr old a resounding winner in my book, with 15 close behind. Still not too keen on 12.

[Ganga]

Glenfiddich 12
Brand : Glenfiddich Expression : 12 Special Reserve
Nose : Malt mixed with light spices, a hint of butterscotch, fruits - melons and apples Palate : Overripe malt, lighter spices than other examples, some feintiness, some wood characteristics Finish : Medium, spices and feints Comment : Water brings a lemon scent to the nose. More traditional malt on the palate. Colour : Bright Gold Score : 38
Age : 12 Years Old Vintage : NA ABV : 40% Bottler : -	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]

Ryan, I had a much different experience with the Special Reserve.

[Ryguy]

Glenfiddich 12yo New Bottling 40%

Glass: Riedel Crystal SM glass
Water: None

Nose: Light, very light. Some apples and spice, but not much.

Palate: Sweet with green apples and malt.

Finish: not a big difference in this glass as far as the finish. Some spices coming out in the end.

[Ryguy]

Ryan, I had a much different experience with the Special Reserve.

Different than the regular 12, or different than mine?

[DanAir]

OK, been great tonight guys, but I've got a bed to use and I intend to do so to the best of my abilities. Enjoy the rest of the night!!

[Ryguy]

Good night DanAir! It was great having you around.
Cheers!

[Ryguy]

Next up 15 Solera. I really liked the nose on this earlier.

[Ganga]

Thanks for joining in danair. Look forward to seeing you at the next tasting.

[Reggaeblues]

First, yes TT. i'm afraid Kimi will walk the Grand Prix for Ferrari...unless it rains which will spice up what is normally a bit of a dull race, and give Lewis the chance to "Do A Button!"

OK, OK enough motorhead bizness!

Time for a 15/30 head to head!

Revisitting 15 after a sliceof buttered toast...so nice! but the 18 had
the better finish IMO

15:
NOSE: Toast, Polished floors..grassy, reminiscent of the 18. late sweetness, like wine gums! Warm freshly baked spongecake...

Oh b*ll*cks! I posted notes on the 15 but they're gone! Too late to repeat. sorry! Brief |resume...lovely dram. smoothest of all so far. But finish not as good as 18. There!

GLENFIDDICH 30 YO:


Bloody hell!! It's only bin standing ina de glass for 5 minutes...but it make me sit back in my chair!

Love this kinda nose!

Old oak. sitting in a library in leather armchairs. Freshly polished floors, and bookshelves rising high. Someone in th corner lights a pipe of sweet cherry tobacco...someone walks in with freshly made tea and scones. Could sniff this all night , but I'm playing bass in church at 9.15.

Maybe i should pour this into my flask and save it for the service...

On second thoughts, I'd miss the nose...oh well. Jah forgive I mi 'angover!! Here goes...

PALATE: So much for unholy thoughts...i managed to SPILL a good few drops!!

Slurped the spillage off my desk in desparation . Oh My!!

Now this is a dram I could write a book by...

this has all the qualities I love about the 15 and 18, but with the underlying thread of age, which has given it a roundness, a sweetness, and an underlying oak and lemon theme that lasts all the way...fading into a clean, sweet, close your eyes and you're back in the library...sweet lemon and a hint of island (HP) saltiness at the death...even a hint of smoke, like distant kippers on a fresh breeze. Lingering sweetness...smoked orange(if such a thing were possible) Truffles...Keeps on giving...still sweet, still dry salt behind the sweetness. Reminds me of an old Longmorn I had - the SMWS Rasta malt...but milder(THAT was 53%!!)

This nose is orgasmic! Now there's chocolate mixed in with the sweet oak.

My last sip of the night folks. It's been a pleasure and a privilege. thanks to Matt for the samples. What a treat!

The 30 is the clear winner for me, if "winner" there has to be! I could drink a case of this!

But tonight proves how underrated GF is. so much more than a "layman's intro malt."

Will catch up with the thread tomorrow.

[Ganga]

Glenfiddich 12
Brand : Glenfiddich Expression : 12 Special Reserve
Nose : lemony malt. This strong but everything else is quite subdued. Palate : spices, citrus, woody, malty. Lots of palate compared to the nose. Finish : moderate. spices trail off leaving a mouth of grains. Comment : - Colour : Bright Gold Score : 39
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.

[Ganga]

Beautiful notes. Kind of sums up my feelings about that one. It is truly a gem. It may be aged but it also has a certain feistiness to it as well.

Slainte.

[Ganga]

A little water in the brandy glass. Doesn't do as much here.

[Ryguy]

Glenfiddich 15yo Solera Reserve 40%

Glass: Glencairn
Color: Light amber
Water: None

Nose: Rich, maybe some toffee / chocolate.

Palate: Thin but there's more going on here than the 12. Rich with vanilla and mocha.

Finish: Sweet with some spice, longer than the 12yo.

Many thanks again to OKDiver1 for this sample!!

[Ganga]

Glenfiddich 12
Brand : Glenfiddich Expression : 12 Special Reserve
Nose : Light notes of lemon, malt and oak. Very subdued overall. Palate : lemons, apples, melons, malt, lightly spiced Finish : Moderate, fruits flow into the finish with a hint of spice Comment : - Colour : Bright Gold Score : 41
Age : 12 Years Old Vintage : NA ABV : 40% Bottler : -	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.

[Ganga]

Water really adds nothing to the nose but the palate is more intense.

[Ganga]

Glenfiddich 12
Brand : Glenfiddich Expression : 12 Special Reserve
Nose : spices, wood and malt up front. honey dew and pears followup Palate : Malty and spicey. Fruity, fleshy and citrus. Finish : Shorter but better. The spiciness is more what I like. Comment : - Colour : Bright Gold Score : 43
Age : 12 Years Old Vintage : NA ABV : 40% Bottler : Original Bottling	Type : Single Malt Region : Speyside Water : No Ice : No Glass : Cadenhead Noser Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[Ganga]

Water actually degrades the palate from this glass. I do have to say thought the finish is longer and more intense.

[Ganga]

Glenfiddich 15
Brand : Glenfiddich Expression : 15 - does not say Solera
Nose : There something like a nougat here, a littel sawdust, citrus and spices come through Palate : Spicey, oakey, melons and citrus underneath (maybe bananas too) Finish : Long and spicey Comment : Water intensifies the nose and palate. Colour : Reddish gold Score : 50
Age : 15 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.

[Willie JJ]

Great notes guys. Time for me to sign off now as the missus has plans for tomorrow. Enjoy the rest of your drams and I'll catch you later.

Cheers

[Ryguy]

Cheers Willie!! Thanks for staying up late with us!!

Not much left of this sample but I managed to split it in half.

Glenfiddich 18yo Ancient Reserve 43%

Glass: Glencairn then Riedel
Water: None
Color: Amber gold

Nose: Warm and inviting, the wood is there with some spice.

Palate: A bit spicy, but in a good way. There is just a lot more going on here, huge difference than the 12 and 15. Some wood comes through late, with a nice mix of spices.

Finish: Spice, oak, sweetness, nice finish, especially compared to the 12 and 15yo's.

Thanks Ganga!!!

[Ganga]

Glenfiddich 15
Brand : Glenfiddich Expression : 15 - does not say Solera
Nose : Cinnamon apples, barley, light bit of oak Palate : spices (cinnamon and nutmeg), more barley, Finish : moderate and spicey Comment : - Colour : Reddish gold Score : 45
Age : 15 Years Old Vintage : NA ABV : 40% Bottler : Original Bottling	Type : Single Malt Region : Speyside Water : No Ice : No Glass : Cadenhead Noser Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[Ganga]

Cheers Willie. You da man.

Say hello to the Mrs.

[Ganga]

Glenfiddich 18
Brand : Glenfiddich Expression : 18 - Ancient Reserve (circa 2008)
Nose : Again very subdued. Light lemons, hints of malt, and a little bit of fresh wood Palate : An explosion of spices. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and lots of other spices tingling the tongue. Hints of apples and oranges - cooked/stewed. Finish : Long and pleasant. Cinnamon predominantly lingering Comment : - Colour : Dark Gold Score : 51
Age : 18 Years Old Vintage : NA ABV : 43% 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.