
October 15, 2019

Glenfiddich, new Grand Cru and older 26

(and a token of gratitude to scotchwhisky.com)

That’s a fine little duo, and I find it flattering that they would use so many French terms, although those may make them look, or at least sound a bit like… Cognacs. No?

Glenfiddich 21 yo ‘Grand Cru’ (40%, OB, 2019)

Glenfiddich 23 yo ‘Grand Cru’ (40%, OB, 2019)

This one was finished in Champagne casks, although they would not say so on the labels, as the Champenois have rather got fast-draw holsters. I guess they have double-checked everything, but if I may, anything in a cask is not Champagne yet, hence possibly not Grand Cru, obviously, even if a Grand Cru in Champagne does not mean the same thing as, say in Burgundy (it’s rather a whole village, and it’s related to the grapes themselves). The wine becomes ‘Champagne’ or ‘Champagne Grand Cru’ (or Champagne Premier Cru for that matter) only after it’s finished its second fermentation in bottle. There cannot be any Champagne straight from the cask, even if that used to exist before WWII. But I’m quibbling here, I’m sure they’re within their rights, and I love Glenfiddich – and Champagne. Plus, I guess the appellation ‘grand cru’ is not regulated at all in Scotchland anyway, is it? Colour: gold. Nose: it’s really fine, starting with nice fermentary notes, not winey notes, and going on with some bread, brioche, apple pie, and even notes of natural wine (vin nature). I enjoy anything fermentary anyway. A little chalk as well. Mouth: j’aime bien! I mean, I rather enjoy this indeed, it’s got quite a lot of breads, brioches, croissants, cider and ale, honeysuckle, mullein syrup, white peaches… It’s really very good, even at those slightly greedy 40% vol. Finish: a tad short, but never oaky, and pretty natural again. Very well done. Comments: why not 43%, if not 45 or 46? The juice is really worth it! Some top-notch Glenfiddich nonetheless. But please, a slightly higher voltage next time, 40% makes it all look a tad avare. I mean, stingy.
SGP:551 - 87 points.

Glenfiddich 26 yo 'Excellence' (43%, OB, +/-2019)

Glenfiddich 26 yo 'Excellence' (43%, OB, +/-2019)
An ongoing expression, that I haven’t checked since 2014 (boo!) Didn’t like it too much back then I’m afraid (WF 78). Fully ex-bourbon, I believe. Colour: straw. Nose: it’s a low-whisperer indeed, with no real extra-dimensions by comparison with the entry-level 12 (which, I think, has improved quite a lot recently). Breads, cakes, cardboard, hints of the trademark pears and apples, cider, and just a whiff of some kind of burnt flower bread. Perhaps something with orange blossom water inside. Very light. Mouth: 78 was a little harsh, but they may have improved the recipe in the meantime. Notes of young calvados, sweet ale, perhaps a few sweets (a sucrosity in the background), and probably more youth than expected. Blind, I’d never have said this is 26 years old, rather… 12 indeed. Finish: medium, a little spirity. Comments: whisky for Ferrero Rocher’s ambassadors, perhaps? I’d rather have the humbler 12 – and of course the 21 Grand Cru – anytime, Your Excellency.
SGP:641 - 79 points.

Check the index of all Glenfiddich we've tasted so far