Glenfiddich 12 Years Review


Country: Scotland
Brand: Glenfiddich
Type: Single Malt Whisky
Region: Speyside
Age: 12 Years
ABV: 40%
Chill-Filtration: Yes

Colour: Light Gold/Sunlight (Artificially Coloured)

Nose: Mainly Sweet but with some Sour - and Mineral notes as well. I find Toasted Cereals, Sweet Barley, Buttered Toast, Brown Sugar, Honey, Caramel, Vanilla, Floral tones, Red Apples, Pear, Green Grape, Apple Vinegar, Lemon, Milk Chocolate, Grass, Dusty Road and Oak Shavings. The Alcohol is present but does not interfere with the Nosing procedures. It's clear that this Spirit was mainly matured in Ex-Bourbon casks. The Sherry influence is quite light.

Taste: Sweet and Thin. I find Malted Barley, Vanilla, Toffee, Honey, Caramel, Brown Sugar, Green Grapes, Red Apples, light Spices, Oak, Floral Perfume, Citrus and Nuts.

Finish: Short, Clean and Sweet with Toasted Cereals, Vanilla, Toffee, Caramel, Honey, Oak, Pear, Apple, Nuts, Grapes, Cinnamon and Ginger. 

With a couple of drops of water, Pear, Apple, Malt, Honey, Apple Vinegar, Citrus and the slightest hint of Peat become more evident on the Nose. On the Palate there’s not too much difference but the Ginger in the Finish becomes clearer. You can definitively play with a bit of water here. But as always, be careful not to overdo it!

Rating: 81.5  

Nose: 21– Taste:  20 – Finish: 20 – Overall: 20.5


General Remarks: It was Glenfiddich that initiated the Single Malt business back in the sixties. Glenfiddich means Valley of the Deer and many of you will remember having seen the famous stag on the Packaging of this Single Malt at least once in your life! It’s one of the best selling Single Malt in the world. At a price of around US$ 40, it’s relatively inexpensive. It ages in Ex-Sherry and Ex-Bourbon Casks. The Distillery was founded in 1886 and is located in Dufftown and is still family owned by William Grant & Sons Ltd. It’s the biggest Distillery in Scotland with an annual capacity of around 10 million litres.

Drinking Experience Straight: Good

Conclusion: I think the Glenfiddich 12 is suffering from its own success. Best selling Single Malt in the world, Obvious choice in a Duty Free - or Travel Retail Shop, Affordable Price Level, Easily available, Everybody knows it, Very Large Distillery. Big Big Big! So, as a result of all this it can’t be good can it? Well I found it to be surprisingly good actually. It’s not overly complicated of course but highly drinkable! Sometimes it reminds me a bit of a Grappa or Eau de Vie. The Nose is crisp, the Palate is easy going and the finish fresh and clean. Maybe a touch too Woody! It will never be one of my favourite Single Malts but I can see why it’s so popular all over the world!

Jan van den Ende                                       June 22, 2012 and March 27,2017

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