The Whiskey Reviewer A World of Whiskey, Poured Every Weekday
By Debbie Shocair
Rating: B
Glenfiddich 14 Year Old Bourbon Barrel Reserve
(Credit: Debbie Shocair)
When the proprietor of my favorite local happy juice store pointed out this little Speyside gem, I knew it had to be mine. The Glenfiddich 15 is one of my favorite single malts, and I was sure this 14 year old bourbon barrel-aged whisky would turn out to be a lovely, if divergent, interpretation on Glenfiddich.
This Glenfiddich single malt is aged fourteen years in ex-bourbon barrels, then finished in new American charred oak barrels from the Kelvin Cooperage in Louisville, Kentucky. Basically, after being aged in old bourbon barrels, as most Scotch is, it gets a second round in barrels made for aging bourbon. By GF’s own description, the whisky is “a homage and a celebration of the US Whiskey industry’s contribution to Scottish Single Malt.” This new rendition has been exclusively crafted for the United States, so it really is pretty special.
The Scotch
On the nose, this one is heavy on honey, almost to the exclusion of any other scents, though closed eyes and careful consideration bring very low notes of oak and peat, with a whisper of maple and molasses.
Breaking the Glenfiddich 14 Year Old Bourbon Barrel Reserve with a half-teaspoon of water opens the sweet notes of toffee and molasses to more prominence.
The mouthfeel is surprisingly gentle for an 43% abv whisky, and it slips back with barely a whisper, only a quick caress and tingle at the tip of the tongue and at the very back of the palate.
I was surprised that the flavor of peat is so much more pronounced on the exit, along with a brief pop of honeyed orange zest. The long-lingering finish is awash with honey.
Overall, I liked it. I still prefer The Glenfiddich 15, but I’m happy with Glenfiddich’s nod to us Yanks.
The Price
It’s available at most larger liquor stores in America, and I procured mine for $47.99, which is a more than fair price. I may have to procure another to fully appreciate the happy nod from the Valley of the Deer. Cheers!
Surprising you get so much peat on it. I get pretty much none when I taste it. Plus, Glenfiddich says they don’t use any peat (as of my last visit to the distillery) — expect, perhaps, for their “vintage cask” release. That’s the only one I can think of, but maybe they do introduce some peat in other varieties. Anyways, I agree that ~$50 is a great price for such a whisky, and thoroughly enjoy it!
Maybe it’s bourbon barrel char?
Picked up a bottle tonight on sale for $39 at one of my locals, so it appears I got a good deal. Looking forward to a sample a bit later in the week.
You are right, it is certainly not a 15, but it is interesting, and at this price, it is a great addition to any single malt collection.