Glenfiddich 18 Small Batch Reserve

Intro:

On the market there also is another Glenfiddich 18 year old.

That one is produced in a huge volume, this one is not.

 

This 18 year old whisky is matured in small batches

of no more than 150 casks.

Those casks where specially picked by the malt master of Glenfiddich, Brian Kinsman.

After 18 years the whisky spends 3 months marrying in large wooden tuns.

This whisky is a mixture of ex bourbon and oloroso sherry casks.

 

Price: around 80/90 €/$/£

 

Coloured - Chill Filtered

 

40% ABV (alcohol by volume)

 

Nose:

There is wood with sherry fruits: (little cherry, caramel/backed apple, plum, raisen and currents)

Honey and caramel are also present with chocolate in the back.

After a while, more cherry is starting to appear.

In there are also some spices, mostly cinnamon.

Surrounding it all is some light orange-peel.

 

The nose has a lot op complexity and there is a lot going on.

It's not harsh or climbing out to meet you, it's a little shy but it's really friendly.

This one is good for whisky drinkers that just started or haven't really

tried 18 year old's in the past.

 

 

Palate:

Because of the 40% the taste starts out a little watery, it turns to a light cream after a little while though.

Mouthfeel is better than I expected for a 40% whisky.

 

It starts out with some fresh red apple.

After that, some vanilla appears with the sherry fruits following not far behind.

Then spices take over, cinnamon with a little nutmeg and some flower maybe.

After some more time in the mouth it gets a little prickly (spicy) but not too much, it's just right.

There is no alcohol burn (40%)

Then it fades and it's time to swallow.

 

 

Finish/aftertaste:

Then the sherry hits you good, a lot of dark plum, raisens, juicy currents.

Along with the sherry, oak starts to make it's way in.

The spiciness hasn't gone away just yet, it's still there, not a lot but it's nice.

Most of the spiciness is on your tongue.

Now you start to notice some of the orange-peel which brings a little bitterness.

There is a little honey to make up for it though.

The aftertaste doesn't last that long which in my opinion is not a big issue.

I would say the duration is of  'middle/average' length.

The whole thing is just really complex and well rounded.

 

 

(I noticed that when I took a bigger sip some leather and musty tones started to appear... interesting)

 

 

Water:

I would not add water to this one, it doesn't do it justice.

It swallows the complexity and it falls flat.

 

 

Summary:

I really like this whisky.

It's complex, well rounded and an easy whisky for the beginners but the more

experienced palates will love this as well, mine sure does!

For the right price I would pick it up again, I got it for €62,00 and I can't be happier with that purchase!

But, most of the time it is not that cheap so I will take the normal price with me in the score.

 

9.0/10