Glenfiddich with Christmas, IPA, snow and a fast car
The time of Christmas and snow has always played an integral role in the history of the Glenfiddich Distillery in Dufftown. One of the most destructive snowstorms to hit the region, raged over the valley on Christmas Day 1886. William Grant and his large family of seven sons and two daughters probably thought about the site he had acquired just months before. The work would start, as soon as that blanket of white snow had faded. And indeed, exactly one year later, on Christmas Day 1887, the first Glenfiddich spirit flowed from the stills. To mark the event, Glenfiddich filled no less than 12.000 numbered bottles on Christmas Day 1986 and released it to the world, ahead of the centennial year of Glenfiddich. In these hundred years of existence, Glenfiddich was a pioneer in establishing single malt as a category to be reckoned with, alongside the vastly more popular blended whisky. Thanks to a whisky sharing mate of mine, I was able to buy a sample from this centennial bottling, to taste almost exactly 28 years after filling it into glass. Now, talking about snowstorms, if only we could find a sample of the Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix again!
We are indeed slowly but surely creeping towards the Christmas holiday, and that is also a time for gifts. When you are not a whisky geek, you might grab a bottle from the shelf in your local liquor store that you have heard of before. Glenfiddich is probably one of the most famous whisky brands in the world. In the recognisable triangular bottle, it is an easy pick. A new collaboration came to our attention, as the car brand Aston Martin switched gears from Islay to Speyside. Where we have seen the name stamped on bottles of Bowmore before, now Glenfiddich has become a partner. Such a weird notion, an alcohol product linked to a car brand. But I am guessing that the link between the two is luxury. You probably drive your Aston Martin up to the Glenfiddich Lodge for a nice hike, and then return home, to your Bed & Breakfast in Dufftown or wherever, and pour a glass. My lovely wife once gifted me a ride in an Aston Martin for my 40th birthday. A true James Bond experience, no Glenfiddich involved, nor shaken or stirred Martini’s for that matter. Another woman in my life is named “Marchioness Emy” in my phone, and she slips me whisky samples every now and then. To make a long story short, we have three samples lined up for you today!
Glenfiddich IPA, Experimental Series No. 1, bottled at 43 % abv
First things first: These Glenfiddich were bottled roughly between 2016 and 2022. No age stated single malt whisky that received a finish in Indian Pale Ale casks. Thanks for the sample, Emy!
Upon Sipping: Barley fresh and fruity on pears and apples, before the common demeanour reveals itself, being vanilla. The slight hoppiness reveals the influence of the IPA casks, but I appreciate that it is not too dominant. That could make this work! In fact, it creates a nice hybrid of smells, mostly commonly associated with a clean Scottish pub, right before people start pouring in for a pint or dram. I like the character of this Glenfiddich very much. On the nose that is, now let us take a sip. Well, for anyone who appreciates a nice IPA, this should be right on the mark. A rather bitter arrival on the tongue, that clearly signals the stronger taste of the beer, but the more you move to the back of the palate, the traditional fruitiness of Glenfiddich does return. Mostly on fizzy pear, as if the IPA put some electricity in the fruit. The finish has a nice, slightly raw barley kick to it.
Word to the Wise: It seems that IPA and Glenfiddich single malt are actually a match made in heaven. The integration of the styles of these two drinks are balanced well, with the IPA still making a distinctive mark. The finish was done just right to not make it go over the top. Beer lovers might very well pick this one from the shelf and certainly will not be disappointed!
Score: 83 points.
Glenfiddich 19 years old, bottled at 43 % abv
First things first: A 2025 bottling in the series for the Aston Martin Formula One team. The single malt whisky matured in American and European oak and Montilla (Spanish wine) casks.
Upon Sipping: As Spanish wine casks are included, we expect some soul of Fernando Alonso in this bottling! The colour is dark and golden, so that is promising. Lovely nose, on perfumy flowers and strawberry candy, or perhaps pastilles for a sore throat. It all smells balanced and fine, but a little dull. Such a pity Glenfiddich does not embrace a higher abv for their products. On these limited editions that should be possible, right? The palate is quite bitter upon arrival, where the tannins reign supreme, and this clouds a lot. Only towards the finish do I pick up some fruity notes, most notably nice and juicy pears. The bitterish wood, not even chocolate but really wooded, lingers unpleasantly. Hints of copper. In a way, you could say this has a mechanical character, and though I have never sipped from motor oil, I can almost imagine WD-40 tastes like this.
Word to the Wise: I am confused about the answer to the question if I like this or not. Whisky with wine treatment is never my favourite style, and this Glenfiddich Aston Martin underlines that again. On the other hand, an A for effort, since this is not a lacklustre attempt. It is even a little uncommercial, which I applaud. So yeah, no other way than to go test for yourself eh? EDIT: I saw the RRP on this bottle. A bit steep. Think twice.
Score: 80 points.
Glenfiddich Centenary Edition 1887-1987, bottled at 40 % abv
First things first: Exactly 12.000 bottles and no further information on casks used. The 1980s were much thirstier times for information hungry whisky nerds…
Upon Sipping: Ah, that brings back memories from my first ever Glenfiddich, which must have been the trusty 12 years old. Where current day expressions are full throttle on the vanilla, this one displays the classic Williams pears for which Glenfiddich is known. Not much more to add, I am afraid, besides perhaps whiffs of barley in the field on a dusty summer day. No snow in sight! Simple, inoffensive, straightforward and light single malt whisky, easily mistaken for a blend. After some breathing of hint of flowery perfume. Not bad! The taste is rather oily, full on barley notes and hints of cardboard (for which I blame the low abv). Bread crumbs, slightly bitter wood, and a surprising absence of fruit actually. I suppose Glenfiddich did not want to fill this centennial celebration bottle with old liquid. In a way, this has poetry, so this Glenfiddich can come very close to how it might have tasted when it came of the still first, on that Christmas Day in 1887.
Word to the Wise: Adorably simple Glenfiddich, that is very true to its core as an accessible single malt for the masses. With the 1980s playing field for whisky in mind, this is a logical product. The bottling is about the message, not the content. As it stands, it is a fine benchmark malt.
Score: 75 points.