Whisky Forum - Glenfiddich 14 Year Rich Oak

Quaich1 · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 10:07 pm Post subject: Glenfiddich 14 Year Rich Oak

I came across Glenfiddich 14 Year Rich Oak at the LCBO today for 37 pounds equivalent. I didn't buy it bu it caught my interest as I walked the aisles. Any thoughts on this one? Worth a try? I do like the Glenfiddich 15 Solera Vat. The former is slightly cheaper than the Solera.
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William · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 10:28 pm Post subject:

Murray the Glenfiddich 14 Rich Oak is quite a different whisky to the Solera, it was matured in a combination of virgin American and European oak casks and this as you would expect has a big influence on the whisky. Plenty of vanilla sweetness, zesty fruit and oak spice. A different Glenfiddich and a good one, i am sure you will find it an intersting comparison to the rest of the Glenfiddich range which you will already be familiar with. Certainly worth a try, its a decent whisky usually found at a decent price. I would score it 90/100
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Quaich1 · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 10:37 pm Post subject:

James T · Master Of Malts Joined: 05 Feb 2011 Posts: 2991

Murray i wouldnt hesitate to recomend it either if you like the influence of new oak, not overly oaky or spicy. I would say it has a small hint of being a Japanese style malt whisky with the new oak influence on the Glenfiddich whisky. It has been around this side of the water for 3 or 4 years now and i usually have a bottle in the cupboard. Worth a try as William says. Enjoy.

Alexppp · Master Of Malts Joined: 16 Jul 2010 Posts: 1791

Interesting that William rates it so highly. Obviously he's more experienced than me but personally I don't like it that much. I've gone through a bottle in the past but I found the new oak influence a bit excessive, and the finish becomes drying really quickly, and not in a pleasant way (for me at least).

I rate the Solera much higher and the Rich Oak is not one I'd buy again, even if it's on offer.

Just a different opinion to complicate matters for you, Murray! Very Happy

Samson · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 2:08 am Post subject:

I also think the Glenfiddich Rich Oak is very good, a very different whisky compared to the Solera 15, it obviously has big oaky notes, IMO it has a good balance of oak spice fruit and vanilla.

Kray · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 12:19 pm Post subject:

I would rate the Rich Oak highly considering the price you can often pick it up for. I see Jim Murray rates it at 90.5 and the Solera 15 at 94.5, they are 2 different whiskies for different occasions depending on your mood but i would say Jims scoring of them is spot on.

The Solera is more likely to please more palates and the spicy, oaky sweet vanilla profile of the Rich Oak may not be to everyones taste.