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This has the prestigious honour of being the first single malt scotch I ever tried. I was about 16 I think so it was technically an illegal dram (very naughty). Anyway, I did rather enjoy it (the secret ingredient was crime) and I realised that it was a step up from the cheap blended scotch I had had up until that point. I guess you could say it’s what started me on my whisky journey.
So when I sat down to review the Glenfiddich 12 it was an emotional moment. This is one of the best selling single malts in the world and is a bit iconic in the Scotch world. But best selling often doesn’t equate to quality in whisky so is this any good? Have a read of my review to find out what I thought:
About the Distillery
The Glenfiddich distillery was established by William Grant in the year 1886 in Dufftown, Scotland. Located in the glen of the River Fiddich, the name “Glenfiddich” translates as “valley of the deer” and explains why the company logo is a stag.
Glenfiddich single malt is made using water from the Ribbie Dhu spring and is recognised as being the World’s best-selling single malt whiskey, as well as being the most awarded at the International Spirits Challenge.
During the 1920s, when the prohibition era was at its peak in the United States, the Glenfiddich distillery was one of the very few that managed to actually increase production. Some years later, in the 1950s, the distilleries infrastructure was expanded to include coppersmiths to look after the copper stills and a cooperage that is today one of the few remaining in the Scottish distillery community. The iconic triangular bottle design was introduced in 1956.
Whisky Details
On the Box
“This pioneer of the single malt category is matured in the finest Oloroso sherry and bourbon casks and uniquely married in oak tuns for a beautifully balanced nose and refreshingly complex flavour.”
Distiller: The Glenfiddich Distillery
Region: Speyside
ABV: 40%
Proof: 80
Age: 12 years
Website: https://www.glenfiddich.com/uk/collection/core-range/12-year-old/
Tasting Notes
Nose
Baked apples followed by sharp apples, honey, lemons, slight sherry notes, and some cider. A little reminiscent of The Balvenie 12.
Taste
Grapes with some Armagnac like qualities coming through a little. More apples, pears and citrus (Jif lemon juice), honey, vanilla and baking spices. Light, good body and smooth with a pleasant mouthfeel. It has a forresty element to it as well. Always get a spell check alert for my made up adjective “forresty” – probably because it is not a word – basically it reminds me of a forest.
Finish
Very faint and unassuming. Apple juice, pear and some oak.
Summary
First up, this is a remarkably drinkable single malt whisky. It is so mellow and easy to drink. It is quite fruity on the nose and the palate with the green apple / cider / orchard fruits / citrus flavours quite prominent along with the honey.
It’s also not too heavy on the sherry from being aged in the Oloroso sherry casks, which is good for me as I don’t like too much sherry and more on the sweet sherry side than dry.
I like it. It doesn’t make you sit up and take notice and I wouldn’t order it in a bar if there was a reasonable selection available, but I would happily buy a bottle for regular drinking and if I was to make a worldwide top 100 whiskies list this is decent enough to be in it for sure.
This is also a great whisky to have in to share with guests who might only be casual whisky drinkers. It is mild and enjoyable with some good flavours and it’s unlikely anyone would dislike it. Both the Glenfiddich 15 Solera Reserve and the 18 Small Batch Reserve are superior in the Glenfiddich range however and the price jumps are not huge so you may want to go for one of them instead.