My first criticism of Glenfiddich The Original is its 40% delivery. I have several Glenfiddichs from the 70s and 80s and they’re all delivered at 43% which is the very least this should be released at, especially given the $100+ price tag. Though this is really my biggest problem with Glenfiddich on the whole. They neuter their awesome whisky and that’s why I almost never buy it.
In Glenfiddich’s Words: Glenfiddich The Original
“Inspired by the pioneering spirit of Sandy Grant Gordon, this historic expression is a recreation of the original 1963 Glenfiddich Straight Malt that started the single malt category.
Our Malt Master, Brian Kinsman, recreated the Original 1963 from our unrivalled collection of aged whiskies with the recipe uncovered from the Glenfiddich family archives.
While most whiskies today mature in oak, sherry casks were more prominent in 1963. The result, then and now, is a spirit contrasting many of our other expressions.
The aroma is floral with the hallmark Glenfiddich pear, followed by lively fruit notes, biscuity with a soft vanilla oakiness and deliciously dry finish.”
This Glenfiddich The Original review is the first of 11 Glenfiddich reviews I’ll be doing over the next 3 weeks. Most of what I’ll be reviewing will be recent releases, but I have some 70s and 80s releases in store as well to give some background / historical notes of this distillery. It’s going to be an interesting ride.
Glenfiddich The Original Info
Region: Speyside, Scotland
Distiller: Glenfiddich
Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: ex-Bourbon & ex-Sherry
Age: NAS
ABV: 40%
Price: $100
Glenfiddich The Original Review
EYE
Straw
NOSE
Tropical and orchard fruit, toasted malt, honey, graham, brown sugar and a touch of vanilla and spice. On the better side of Glenfiddich.
PALATE
Big fruit, malt, honey, buttery graham cracker pie crust, brown sugar and a light melon-like quality with a touch of vanilla and smoke.
FINISH
A long malt driven finish layered with notes of dried fruit, honey, smoke and brown sugar
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Good sense of balance, medium body and a smooth – almost watery – texture.
OVERALL
Glenfiddich The Original is a decent malt. It’s not wildly complex, but could make a decent daily drinker if you like that softer sweeter kind of whisky. There’s something sherry-like that sits under and supports the aroma and palate, but never fully expresses itself as a solid sherry note. There is also a slightly spirity note that comes and goes while drinking this dram. One sip it’s there, the next it’s not.
I’m not wild about paying $100+ for a NAS 40% chill-filtered whisky and based on the 70s Glenfiddichs I have I have to imagine the 63 was also 43% so if they were going to recreate the original they should have done it down to the proof. Unless they increased the proof to 43% in the 70s that is, but if that’s the case then they should include that info in the story. Anyways, it’s a decent whisky, just not one I’d spend more than $60 on.
SCORE: 86/100 (B)
Thanks to Nate for the sample
