Whisky Focus - Glenfiddich Excellence 26 Year Old Review

Glenfiddich Excellence 26 Year Old Review


26th September 2014
The Glenfiddich Excellence 26 year old, the latest premium addition to the iconic Speyside distillery's range.

You may have spotted this one already as it was released a few months ago but I thought I would give it a mention as I tasted it this week and I thought that I would share with you my opinion of the new whisky.

The Glenfiddich Excellence 26 Year Old is the latest premium expression from the iconic family run Speyside distiller, it was matured exclusively in American Oak Bourbon casks for a minimum of 26 years.

As the knowledgeable whisky drinkers amongst you will already know, American Oak Bourbon casks impart a unique and distinct flavour on a whisky and uniquely the Glenfiddich Excellence 26 Year Old is the first single malt from the Speyside distiller to use Bourbon casks throughout the entire maturation process.

Glenfiddich Malt Master Brian Kinsman commented on the choice of casks used to mature the new whisky, "By maturing this expression exclusively in Bourbon casks we’ve created a beautifully intense flavour, reflective of the relentless passion we have for producing incredible single malts. With notes of lush vanilla, light oak and spice our 26 Year Old, while a new expression, remains true to Glenfiddich’s heritage of producing fruity, floral and deeply flavoured whiskies. We believe it to be one of our most desirable expressions yet, making ‘Excellence’ a truly appropriate name."

Peter Gordon, Glenfiddich Company Director added: "As a family run company, we’ve always challenged established whisky-making norms because we care personally about the quality of our single malts. We cherish our independence because it allows us to innovate and create superior whiskies, and Glenfiddich Excellence 26 Year Old is a prime example of this. This new addition to our collection of rare single malts confirms that as a company still run by our founder’s descendants, we remain committed to fulfilling my great-great grandfather’s vision to create ‘the best dram in the valley’."

As you would expect for such a premium whisky it is presented in an elegant glass bottle with delicate gold lettering, Glenfiddich Excellence 26 Year Old is finished with an oak stopper reminiscent of the Bourbon casks in which it matures. Packaged in an opulent purple presentation box, with an intricate embossed design inspired by the patterns made on wood cuts from the American Deep South, Glenfiddich Excellence 26 Year Old will be a prestigious addition to the collections of single malt aficionados everywhere.

Glenfiddich Excellence 26 Year Old is available in a 70cl bottle with 43% ABV. Available in prestige whisky shops such as The Whisky Exchange currently priced at £343
 

Glenfiddich 26 Excellence Year Old Review


William Morrison's Tasting Notes:

Nose: Lovely gentle sweet vanilla toffee. A hint of candied apple and a slight parma violet note.

Taste: A lovely fine heather honey sweetness, vanilla and mild slightly dry old oak spice coats the mouth. A touch of lemon and a hint liquorice in the background.

Finish: Medium length with vanilla custard and slowly fading oak spice.

Comments: Everything in moderation, no big over powering note but a lovely balance between the mature dry oak spices and the vanilla sweetness. A very easy to drink bourbon cask enriched mature Glenfiddich.

SMW Score 88/100
 

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