Glenfiddich 125th Anniversary Edition (43%, OB, 2012)

• Category: Speyside single malt scotch whisky
• Origin: Glenfiddich Distillery
• Bottling: William Grant & Sons, Official
• ABV: 43%
• Cost: £74.99

What they say

Distillery Notes

In 1886 the distillery was built in the Glen of Fiddich, Gaelic for the Valley of the Deer. The first spirit flowed from the stills on Christmas Day 1887.

Tasting Notes

• Mid gold with amber lights.
• The aroma is distinctly smoky (an expired autumnal bonfire), with initial medicinal base-notes (light antiseptic; sphagnum moss) giving way for a while to the more familiar Speyside sweet toffee (chewy Highland Toffee) and fruity (dried figs, also Seville orange marmalade) scents, before returning to smoke, with a hint of pine sap. With a dash of water, the latter edges towards natural artists’ varnish and the smoke spreads.
• A smooth texture with a predominantly sweet taste, fresh acidity and a slightly mineralic finish. Multi-layered. At reduced strength, becomes slightly more smoky, and distinctly spicy in the finish.

What I say

Purchased from World of Whiskies at Gatwick Airport, I spotted this 125th anniversary edition at the RRP of £74.99 and was intrigued.

After a lengthy discussion with the staff I decided to take this as well as the recently released Glenmorangie Dornoch.

This whisky was produced by the Glenfiddich master blender Brian Kinsman to represent the style of whisky Glenfiddich would have been making originally, hence it is slightly peated and sherry-matured. Presentation set includes certificate of authenticity and weighty solid copper cork stopper.

My tasting notes:

• Appearance: Ruby amber with medium tears
• Nose: Peaty, sweet, leather, red fruits, strawberry, raspberry, red apples, pears, smokey bacon crisps, salami, cmalty cereal barley, cigarret smoke, charred wood smoke, cigar boxes and tobacco leaf
• Taste: Light in mouthfeel but rich and fruity, spiced Christmas punch, fruit cake, mince pies, raisins, quince jelly (membrillo), full bodied, leather, tobacco and walnut
• Finish: Long, ashy , earthy peat, dark/dried fruits, drying and tannic

Overall

Beautiful, the Glenfiddich fruity pear character fits like a hand in a glove with this rich christmasy spiced sherry and peat smoke. Some exceptional casks of whisky have been expertly blended in this malt and it is well worthy of its standing as their 125th Anniversary Edition.

Score 90/100

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Read Toms Whisky Review of Glenfiddich 125th Anniversary 

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