Glenfiddich 14 Year Bourbon Barrel Reserve

Review #012 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 43% Comments: aged 14 years, ex-bourbon maturation, finished in new American oak Tasted after: Glenfiddich IPA Experiment Appearance (no score): Mahogany color. Swirling reveals a thick line sticking to the side of the glass, legs form quickly. Nose: 16/20 Green apple, vanilla, apricot, caramel, and toffee. Palate: 30/40 Charred wood, apples, vanilla, and caramel. Finish: 33/40 Medium-long finish, opens with some moderate oak spice, then I get dark chocolate, molasses, and maybe a hint of raisins, final taste in my mouth is that of leather and spices. With Water: Cinnamon now on the nose, increased oak spiciness on the palate and finish. Total: 79/100 Final thoughts: Probably one of the better single malt scotches I’ve tried for the price. Interestingly I’ve shared this with some friends who are very into bourbon and they did not care for it. It’s definitely a scotch, and while the bourbon influence is heavy and enjoyable, this is still a very different animal. Price: $55 Would recommend: maybe Would buy: maybe Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.

A “scotchy” nose infused with bourbon. Sweetened wheat and barley notes are prominent, like brown sugar on Grape-Nuts cereal. Then fruit fragrantly blossoms in the form of ripe pears and apples, served up alongside a large dollop of vanilla cream and a drop of orange oil. Finally, a subtle base of barrel char, cavendish, cocoa and Luden’s cherry cough drops. The palate is spicy, peculiarly prickly, and quite sweet. Malt and honey dipped sour apples take the lead followed by sharp citrus. Then it yields to cherry syrup, vanilla, and spice notes typical of bourbon. Medium bodied, with a thinly syrupy mouthfeel. A thick band at mid glass quickly breaks into thin arches variably spaced, eventually collecting into a uniform ring hanging heavily yet defiantly just above the liquid below. The finish reveals oak and almond skins, yet retains sweetness with candied bitter orange, a touch of molasses, and Bird’s Custard Powder. A few drops of water open the nose bringing florals, particularly peony and rose, softens the palate, and enriches the finish cutting the bitterness and hinting at Raisinets. Pretty good, if not a bit confused. Nose: 9 Taste: 8 Body: 8 Finish: 9

Taking a break from the limited or rare whiskies is a welcome change. I remember in my infancy of whiskey tasting, I had a pour of Glenfiddich 14, neat and it was one of the first single malts I genuinely enjoyed neat. Hey, we all went through our chilled / on the rocks phase. I saw a bottle of this stuff at one of my favorite local shops and decided to take a stroll down memory lane. Sweet vanilla kicks off the nose. Candied citrus peel adds a vibrant and sweet hit then fades off to a little baking spice and caramel apple. The taste is sweet and moderately fruity. Toffee, more of that caramel apple from the nose and vanilla swirl with bright spices and the faintest citrusy tartness. The spice carries to the finish, with some tongue prickling cinnamon. Some charred oak lends just a tad bit of tannic dryness but not jarring. Truly one of the better "affordable" single malt whiskies on the market. A superb value for money for a hidden gem.

Glencairn tasted. Nose: Fruit! Prunes, dried figs, fresh apple and pear, light sawdust, fruity sweetness dominates. Palate: Medium-bodied with some wood but dominated by sweetness that dances across the palate, with crisp apple, light caramel, pear, some vanilla, cedar, and lemon zest toward the end. Finish: Fruit skins quickly fading into oaky bitterness, which lingers much longer but finally trails off into tannic dryness. Almost like I chewed on a beaver dam, in a pleasant way if that’s possible. I’m no scotch expert, but the bourbon character influence here interested me, and I can see the appeal of the category. The contrast of light fruintiness and rich oak is delicately balanced, and the more subtle bourbon notes make this a more appealing pour to someone like me. Something like this is an interesting crossover and gateway into new flavors, something I can appreciate. 3.5 on my uneducated palate.

Glenfiddich 12 was where this entire Scotch journey began for me. Up until then I'd been drinking Canadian Club and JD, so it really opened my eyes to what whisky could be. Time to try the slightly older brother finally. The nose immediately reminded me of that first dram of the 12. Juicy sweet apple but with some added caramel/vanilla notes from the bourbon cask. Surprisingly hot on the palate, and the flavours are a little muddled. The apple is there and there is some charred bourbon and vanilla flavors but it's not in harmony for me. The finish is surprisingly lengthy and dry with some pleasant oak and spice. A bit of a let down if I'm honest. Very promising nose and decent finish, but actual flavor just doesn't deliver. I definitely prefer the clean, crisp flavour of the 12 over this.

Nez très intéressant qui ne renie aucunement l'origine du fût. Très centré sur le bois et les épices, faible présence caramélisée, légèrement fruité aussi. On note aussi du cacao, vanille. En bouche, on tombe un peu plus dans le côté soyeux avec du caramel doux, abricot et poire, faible chocolat. Le fût de bourbon embarque ensuite et rend le liquide un peu plus rude. C'est sans surprise boisé, chêne américain frais, épices et chaleur d'alcool, léger côté terreux même. Finale qui conserve ces dernières caractéristiques avec un dernier tour de piste des saveurs fruitées. Texture intéressante, huileuse mais pas trop, fût d'ex bourbon qui apporte sa touche appreciable pour les amateurs. Sans aucun doute au-dessus de la version 12 ans beaucoup plus entrée de gamme.