Whisky Forum - Special Glenfiddich Release

whisky_rob · Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2013 6:53 pm Post subject: Special Glenfiddich Release

I've been given a bottle of whisky by a friend . It is a Glenfiddich I've never heard of before. It calls itself the GBM Cask Exclusive 1994 and is a limited run of only 246 bottles from a single cask given only to employees. The packaging is very similar to a Foundation reserve.

I'm in a bit of a pickle as to what to do with it. Do I -

A) - Drink it?
B) - Sell it? (is an exclusive staff bottling worth much?)
C) - keep it for the future?

I've never had a bottle that was never designed for sale before, and really in the dark as to any potential value!!

Any help or advice is great fully received!!

Regards,

Rob

Kenny M · Master Of Malts Joined: 21 Apr 2007 Posts: 860

I personally would be tempted to drink it. It will be desirable to collectors i think, as far as value goes i wouldnt like to comment as i havent saw any of these for sale.

Does it say when it was bottled, whats its ABV and was it chill filtered, all could add to the value.

Quaich1 · Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2013 9:40 pm Post subject: Re: Special Glenfiddich Release

whisky_rob · Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2013 10:25 pm Post subject: GBM

In the box there is some 'marketing speak' that reads as follows -

GBM Cask Exclusive

The pioneering sprint of William Grant continues today in the global business model (GBM) GBM will bring changes across the organisation in just 3 short years, delivering an unparalleled product for the company that brought the world the perfect premium single malt.

The GBM project has been delivered using the same degree of determination as William Grant. More than a computer system, GBM will give us a common process for all parts of the business on a global scale.

By creating a global system for a first-class company we're also investing in our future.

Stella David, Chief Executive Officer and Project sponsor, together with steering group members, globally selected this exceptional 1994 Glenfiddich single malt Scotch whisky to celebrate the implementation of the GBM project.

This unique Glenfiddich has been awarded in recognition of outstanding contribution to the development of the Global Business Model.

246 exclusive bottles have been produced from this specially selected cask.

Tasting Notes-

Colour - Rich golden

Nose - Vibrant vanilla sweetness with a ripe cherry fruitiness. Addition of a little water releases softer, subtle oak notes with fresh wood shavings, a distinct candied orange peel and vanilla fudge. Reminiscent of an old fashioned sweet shop.

Taste - Zesty fresh fruit notes with lively sweet vanilla and hints of woody spice. With water the flavour develops into luxurious layers of rich, velvety cream, orange, marmalade, liquorice and the merest hint of smoke.

Finish - Long lasting and lingering sweet.

On the bottle it says -

Bottle number XXX of 246 bottles. 48.3% vol as well as a short version of whats written in the box.

As said the bottle labels are very similar to the Foundation Reserve bottle. It came in a velvet lined box. It says nowhere about chill filtered or not and no information regarding when bottled or what cask stored in but my friend had only recently been given it by Glenfiddich directly.

My thought process goes as follows, surely as its far rarer than a Foundation Reserve I've seen those on scotch whisky auctions go for about 250 it would have to be worth at least the same or more?

Regards,

Rob

Thanks for your responses
[/u]

William · Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2013 11:20 pm Post subject:

Rob, I believe William Grants & Sons set up the Global Business Model team around 2009 to gather vital information about their business processes from around the globe with the intent of improving IT systems and business processes.

I havent come across this bottle before but i would guess from the info you posted it was released to mark the implementation of there business model which it sounds like they came up with after 3 years of research so i would guess it was perhaps released in 2011 which was when the Glenfiddich Foundation Reserve was released
www.scotchmaltwhisky.co.uk/glenfiddichfoundationreserve.htm

Perhaps explains the similar packaging.

It is a rare single cask Glenfiddich and was never on general sale just like the Foundation Reserve so i would think a bottle of Glenfiddich GBM Cask Exclusive 1994 would be highly sought after and should fetch a good price.
_________________
There's no bad whisky. Just good whisky and better whisky.

Big Mac · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2013 2:02 am Post subject:

Any single cask/limited release of Glenfiddich i have had the pleasure of has always been top class including the Glenfiddich Foundation Reserve which i got to taste thanks to William and this forum. Cant see why your bottle would be any different as Glenfiddich seem very good at selecting good casks for bottling. I know the Glenfiddich Foundation Reserve sold for up to Â£500 and cant see why your bottle couldnt sell for Â£300 - Â£500

Good luck and if you decide to open it let us know what you think of it.

whisky_rob · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2013 6:08 am Post subject: GBM

I can confirm that it was bottled at the Glenfiddich factory in 2012, one was available on Ebay for a short time over the weekend but was removed. (I had on my watch list to see what price it achieved!!) This is the link -

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Glenfiddich-Cask-Exclusive-/281050264613?pt=UK_Collectables_Bottle_Pots_ET&hash=item416fe6b425&nma=true&si=vhjQpPgsrxfLhc1JuqmBduJPkQE%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Regards and thanks again for everyones info!!

Rob

McKay · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2013 1:01 pm Post subject:

Looks like the same style of packaging as the Foundation Reserve minus the silk lining in the box. If it was only released in 2012 we may start to see a few bottles cominig available now.

I would say you would be looking at Â£200 plus for it.

DavidUK · Double Malt Member Joined: 20 Mar 2010 Posts: 174

My opinion is that it would be quite sought after by collectors, as much as, if not more than the Foundation Reserve

albo · Master Of Malts Joined: 22 Mar 2011 Posts: 1888

I still have my bottle of the foundation reserve, how I wish I'd picked up 3 when they were on sale.

Alas not Sad

whisky_rob · Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 5:08 pm Post subject: Foresight!!

Likewise regarding the foundation reserve!! I wish I'd got 2 so could drink one and keep 1 but I just can't bring myself to open it with current value but would love a taste!!

Luckily I got 4 snow phoenix's 3 of with were lovely!! And keeping my last 1 for a rainy day. Also have a couple of 125th Anniversary Editions which might well be the next 'Snow Phoenix"

Like betting on a horse I guess, you always wish you had put more on the winners(taste and value)!! My own thought is that if somethings worth approaching Â£200 I'd prefer to keep it and just buy a more 'standard' tipple (Glenfiddich 15 year old) to enjoy without thinking that this is costing Â£1 a sip!!!

A tiny bit more info on the GBM Cask Exclusive, It was distillery bottled in 2012 and presented to the worthy few in November 2012.

Regards

Rob

Quaich1 · Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 5:20 pm Post subject: Re: Foresight!!

albo · Master Of Malts Joined: 22 Mar 2011 Posts: 1888

Quaich1 · Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 5:41 pm Post subject: Re: Foresight!!

whisky_rob · Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2013 5:56 pm Post subject: Change to ebay

In-line with the changes to international rules regarding whisky postage, after the 14th February people will no longer be able to sell any products actually containing alcohol thru Ebay. This includes collectable or Rare whiskies if they have any of the contents remaining.

Personally I dislike Ebay as it seems to attract people wanting to make a quick buck rather than having a genuine interest in whisky.

Regards,

Rob