Glenfiddich session

[Alexppp]

Now that I got the 5cl miniatures of the Glenfiddich 12, 14 Rich Oak and 15 Solera I thought it was a perfect time for a little Glenfiddich session by bringing in two of their higher strength offerings afterwards. The scores only mean to reflect how much I enjoyed them on this particular occasion. The session, in order:

Glenfiddich 12

Nose: A classic Speyside nose with apples, vanilla, pears, touch of honey perhaps. Not the most complex, but very pleasant for sure.

Palate: Same story, there are other whiskies at higher strengths that bring more to the table, but there's a satisfying balance between light fruitiness and vanilla. The oak influence is in the background, which is rather refreshing given all those NAS whiskies.

Finish: Short to medium, continues along the same vein as the nose and palate in a well-composed and balanced whole.

Comments: I rarely have this whisky unless I'm out in a pub, but it remains an easy-drinking crowd-pleaser. Fresh and fruity, it hits all the right spots as an introduction. 82/100.

Glenfiddich 14 Rich Oak

Nose: There's more going on than the 12 - there's a similar sweetness complemented by spices. It certainly works.

Palate: Unfortunately this is a let-down for me. The nose promises a richer and more complex version of the 12, but I always find the palate too dry and one-dimensional. This is at odds with the relative richness of the nose, which promises more than the palate delivers.

Finish: Spicy, drying, relatively short.

Comments: I've never been a fan of the Rich Oak - I really like the nose but I'm always disappointed by the unexpectedly dry palate. 78/100

Glenfiddich 15 Solera

Nose: We're immediately on a different plane with honey, dark fruits, raisins - in other words the sherry influence is stronger, but by no means overbearing. A perfect marriage of Glenfiddich fruitiness and sherry sweetness.

Palate: A lot more body than the 12 and the Rich Oak. Honey, mild spices, oak, fruits, Christmas cake in perfect harmony.

Finish: Short to medium, satisfying.

Comments: A very lovable whisky and a definite step up in the range. At higher strength it would be a definite 90 in my book, but it does lose a few points in the finish, which loses steam compared to higher strength alternatives. 86/100

Glenfiddich 15 Distillery Edition

Nose: This is like the 12 on steroids. There's certainly a harsh note in there when it's neat, but it's tamed with a drop of water. Lots of ripe apples and pears and vanilla. Apparently there are sherry casks in the mix but they remain in the background, which is no bad thing in my opinion.

Palate: Again, a touch harsh without water, but that's not a problem because it's also got plenty of character. It delivers on what the nose promises, with a sweet, full-bodied dollop of fruit and vanilla.

Finish: Long. This is where it gains ground on the Solera with its higher ABV. Much more satisfying.

Comments: This is a regular of mine, and it's great to have a well-aged non-chill filtered Glenfiddich in the core range. If I'm honest I probably prefer the profile of the Solera, but the higher strength and character of the Distillery Edition make it more satisfying overall. 88/100

Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix

Nose: There's a touch of the outdoors here. It's rather big, with a nice grassiness complementing ripe apples and pears (I've said that a lot but it is Glenfiddich after all...). There are lots of layers here, feels richer than the Distillery Edition in that respect, and more mature.

Palate: Yes, this is on a different level overall. Quite big and punchy, full-bodied and sweet. The 15 feels relatively young by comparison, perhaps this is where the older casks in the vat shine through.

Finish: Long, very satisfying. Lots of ripe (and cooked) apples, a nice mild spiciness.

Comments: This was certainly the star of the show. Perhaps a bit unfair to the other siblings to pit them against it, but this is a great end to the session. I've still got an unopened bottle lying around, the question is how long can I wait until I open it! 91/100

[sorren]

Some good notes there alex... I did slightly differ on the snow Phoenix, I thought there was a lot of young notes in there, yes there is some older casks but I don't think there is a lot, I do like the rich oak though...your 12 and 15 were very close to my notes, I almost thought you'd pinched my note book lol... You should try get a bottle of the distillery bottle your own, it's the cask strength version of 15 solero.. A great read...

[James T]

Great notes Alexppp, I very much agree with your comment that the Glenfiddich 15 Distillery Edition is like the 12 on steroids.

[Kray]

I enjoy the drying oak spice notes in the Glenfiddich 14 Rich Oak, not my favourite Glenfiddich but one I would pour when the mood takes me. My regular Glenfiddich pours are the 15 and 15 Distillery Edition .

[Alexppp]

[sorren]

I always find it amazing how many people don't rate Glenfiddich, I'm sure some just don't want to like it because it's a very popular whisky and don't think it's cool to like a good every day whisky.. Glenfiddich produce some of the most consistent whisky out there, like said above the 15s are good.. And should be in most people's must have lists...

[TheWM]

I too think the Glenfiddich core range is brilliant. That said, I struggled a bit a few weeks ago with the Solera 15. For me needed some time to air and a drop of water to bring out all the flavours and let it mellow out, seemed a bit harsh straight out of the bottle. The 15 DE, is brilliant (and even better in litre bottles )