Glenfiddich 14 is one of the few 100% ex-Bourbon cask offerings Glenfiddich offers. The more notable of course is the tremendous Glenfiddich 15 Cask Strength from the late 90s / early 2000s. Typically Glenfiddich has at least a bit of sherry in it which changes the spirit by making it sweeter and richer. The use of 100% ex-Bourbon barrels gives you more of an idea about the true character of the whisky.
In Glenfiddich’s Words: Glenfiddich 14
“Think a bourbon heart can’t hold a single malt soul? Our 14 Year Old Bourbon Barrel Reserve uniquely delivers the smooth sophistication of Scotland with the sweet kick of Kentucky.
Our Malt Master, Brian Kinsman, patiently waits 14 years as the whisky matures in ex-bourbon American Oak casks. He then finishes the whisky in deep charred new American Oak barrels supplied by The Kelvin Cooperage in Louisville, Kentucky.
The result is a rich, sweet and vibrant single malt that delivers beautifully complex flavours of woody spices combined with ripe summer fruit. It’s an expression in a class all its own. One that will inspire Scotch and bourbon lovers alike, to Rethink Whisky.”
Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE sherried whisky, but I think the only way to truly get to know the character of a whisky is through the use of 100% ex-Bourbon. It’s an education for the senses to know what it’s like and understand what sherry does to it. It also helps you understand just how much sherry is used in the final product of something like the Glenfiddich 12 when comparing it to a 100% ex-Bourbon like this Glenfiddich 14.
Glenfiddich 14 Info
Region: Speyside, Scotland
Distiller: Glenfiddich
Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: ex-Bourbon
Age: 14 Years
ABV: 40%
Price: $50*
Glenfiddich 14 Review
EYE
Honey
NOSE
Malt, banana and apricot heavy fruitiness, vanilla, sassafras and a touch of spice. It’s not the most complex aroma, but it’s nice for what it is.
PALATE
Banana and apricot heavy fruit, malt, honey, spice and vanilla with light notes of toffee and root beer popsicles. Like the aroma it’s not complex, but it is nice.
FINISH
Medium finish of malt, fruit and honey.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Decent balance with a medium body and a soft feel.
OVERALL
Glenfiddich 14 is not a bad whisky. It’s not very complex and comes across as rather basic, but it still manages to be tasty. In this pure ex-bourbon cask delivery it displays the orchard fruit and honey nature that Glenfiddich is known for as beautifully as it can at 40% which is my biggest complaint about Glenfiddich. They create some good high-quality malt but then they neuter it by delivering at 40% and chill-filtered.
Every cask-strength delivery of Glenfiddich I’ve had has been amazingly rich and tasty with a great sense of depth. At the very least they should go back to their 70s & 80s bottling strength of 43%. I get that they make more money and it’s more “mass-market friendly” at 40%, but I think everyone would like it more at 46% and NCF. Anyways, bottom line on the Glenfiddich 14 is there’s nothing to hate on, but nothing to celebrate either.
SCORE: 85/100 (B)
*Disclosure: This sample of Glenfiddich 14 was graciously sent to me by the company for the purposes of this review. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
