Glenfiddich 18 years old

Glenfiddich 18 years old

A review by Tommy Byrne

Overall rating: 8,8/10

Glenfiddich is the top selling single malt brand in the world. Even in remote areas of the globe, there is a good chance to find their start of the line green bottle. This means that it’s an industrial product, but also means it’s decently priced.  When so many single malts are overpriced these days, Glenfiddich stays an excellent value for money.  Having said so, today’s review is about the Glenfiddich 18 years, which is not so cheap.  Putting “ancient” after 18 years olds is a wee bit pompous, but I suppose the marketing department had its reasons.  

18 years in various casks, notably sherry casks in the end of the maturation process, gives a nice amber/copper colour to the final product. The nose is smooth and fresh with notes of pineapple, honey, vanilla, nutmeg and lemon zest.  It is also toasty and floral, nothing very complex, but very nice overall.  The palate is smooth, sweet and malty with notes of fruit cake, toffee and also vegetal with some cauliflower and celery. It has not an extravagant finish; it’s rather smooth and delicate.

I was very pleased with this whisky. Glenfiddich 18 may not have all the subtleties of the 15 years old Solera version, but it is a great product. What I like in general about this brand is the choice that it offers to the consumers.  Usually, every common liquor stores sells the 12, 15 and 18 years old versions and many speciality stores offers older bottles.  This gives single malts apprentices the chance to learn more about whisky maturation process in its many steps and always at a decent price.  I am pretty sure that there is no specific whisky drinker niche for the 18 years old bottle, but it is probably the safest choice for a very nice present to give to someone who likes whisky.