|
20th March 2012 |
|
 This
is not a review of a new whisky, the
Glenfiddich 21 year old has been around
for some time now and I have
enjoyed a dram of it on many occasions in the past.
By
its very nature single malt whisky
doesn't remain 100% the same over time, especially this one as the type of rum
cask to finish the 21 year old has
changed over the years. I thought as
Glenfiddich have recently updated the
packaging for the Glenfiddich 21 year
old I would take another look at it
including what is
now in the bottle.
As you may already know the Glenfiddich
21 year old has seen a few face lifts
and name changes since it was first
introduced. In fact, the Glenfiddich 21
year old was first known as the Havana
Reserve which was finished in Cuban rum
casks, it was then known as the Gran Reserva followed by the Caribbean Rum
Finish and it is now once again known as
the Glenfiddich 21 year old Gran Reserva.
The original release caused a quite a stir in
America because of its name "Havana
Reserve", due to a US trade embargo with
Cuba and products supporting the Cuban
economy. Glenfiddich discontinued the
"Havana Reserve" in the US and it was
replaced by "Gran Reserva" but not
before the first batch of the
Glenfiddich 21 year old sold out very
quickly in the rest of the world as it
didn't just cause a stir because of its
name but also because of the quality of
the whisky..
Enough about its history, what about the
whisky today?
The current bottling of Glenfiddich Gran
Reserva has been matured for 21 years in
American oak casks it was then decanted
into hand selected, Caribbean rum casks
for a further four months maturation
then bottled at 40% ABV.
So what about the new packaging I
mentioned?
The new box has a deep burgundy theme
which is embellished with an intricately
designed filigree pattern on the bottle
label and box, which also houses a
display plinth and a booklet
highlighting the Glenfiddich 21 Year Old
heritage and story. The bottle also
bears the signature of Brian Kinsman,
Glenfiddich Malt Master.
|
Glenfiddich 21 Gran Reserva Tasting Notes
|
William
Morrison's Tasting Notes:
Nose: Polished leather,
toffee, vanilla, some orange, oak.
Taste:
Deliciously rich and creamy with
chocolate orange, toffee, honey,
vanilla, brown sugar, peppery, drying
oak spice.
Finish: Quite a long finish,
spicy slowly drying oak.
Comment:
Takes a few sips to get into but when
you do you know you have stepped up a
class from the 12, 15 & 18 year olds. A
great balance, the rum doesn't overwhelm
the whisky as some finishes can but
gives the smooth 21 year old whisky an
indulgent toffee sweetness. I would love
to taste this at 46% - 50% ABV as I
think it could be outstanding.
Producer's Tasting Notes:
Nose: Intense and vanilla sweet,
floral, hints of banana, figs, rich
toffee, new leather and oak.
Palate:
Initially soft, then brisk, vibrant and
drying, peppery, a touch of smoke, oak,
lime, ginger and spices.
Finish:
Very long, warming, dry and spicy.
|
Where To Buy Glenfiddich Whisky
Online
|
|
Select a country for a list
of specialist Whisky shops who delivers
to you:
|
Whisky Focus
<<<Back to
Whisky Focus for more Whisky News
|
Top
Of Page |
|
|
Online Whisky Shops |
|
|
|
New Whiskies |
| Check out the latest
new whisky releases. |
 |
| Worldwide delivery
available.
More Info |
|
|
|
Whisky Newsletter |
 Keep up to date with
the latest whisky news and special
offers
More Info |
|
