Glenfiddich – the single malt that started it all back in 1963 – is the quintessential Speyside whisky. We’re all so familiar with the flagship 12yo expression, whisky enthusiasts often overlook the older and limited-release expressions in the range. Indeed, even though we wrote the piece over 10 years ago now, our article The three stages of your attitude to Glenfiddich: Like – Hate – Love still attracts attention and daily hits online. As that article explored, the ubiquitous nature of the 12yo leads many whisky drinkers to try Glenfiddich and then move on – thus denying themselves the quality malts found elsewhere in the distillery’s portfolio. If it’s time you re-connected with the brand, the new Glenfiddich 16 Aston Martin collaboration is the perfect opportunity.
This is the second such collaboration between Glenfiddich and Aston Martin’s Formula OneTM Team. Last year’s Release No. 1, also 16 years old, was comprised of three cask-types; this year’s Release No. 2 lifts the stakes by using five different casks to create an exceptionally complex and full-flavoured whisky. 1st-fill Bourbon barrels, Port pipes, Oloroso sherry casks, wine casks, and Fino sherry butts all contribute to this superb expression of Glenfiddich that’s been bottled at 16 years old and at 43% ABV.
For me, one of the hallmarks and calling cards of Glenfiddich is its orchard fruits, in particular, pear drops. I sat down with this bottle as the sun went down, and it wasn’t hard to imagine I was sitting in an orchard somewhere. Soft fruits, a pleasant grassiness, toasted oak, drying spices, and a layered sweetness came out of the glass. The Oloroso & Fino sherry casks in the mix have injected a bit more spice and toffee (almost salted caramel?) to the usual Glenfiddich spectrum and, needless to say, there’s a complexity here that unravels deliciously with time.
Older expressions of Glenfiddich always impress; the extra four years of maturation here, together with the unique use of different casks, combine to make an exceptionally tasty whisky. If you feel you’ve seen and tasted all there was to see amongst the whiskies of Speyside, this is an innovative release to reset your tastebuds.
The collaboration with Aston Martin has some substance: Their Formula One Team has to consistently research, innovate, and extend; something that Glenfiddich has been doing for decades. Available from Liquorland and other independent retailers across Australia, this is a Glenfiddich you can get behind the wheel of.
Cheers,
AD
PS – You might like our other articles about Glenfiddich…
