Glenfiddich 21 Year Reserva Rum Cask Finish

🎩🏴‍☠️ Belmont Bjorn’s Bourbon Banter: A Highland Hijack! 🏴‍☠️🎩 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Glenfiddich 21 Year Gran Reserva Caribbean Rum Cask Finished ✅ Och aye, tonight we are boldly goin’ where nae dram has gone before—well, at least not in this Glencairn! We’re settin’ our sights far beyond bourbon borders and chartin’ a course straight across the Atlantic to the misty highlands of bonnie Scotland. That’s right, laddies and lassies, this episode of Belmont Bjorn’s Bourbon Banter is takin’ a right Scottish twist—and it’s brought to you by a bottle that costs more than a Highland cow on roller skates. 💼 After the raucous success of our last tasting, I’ve dragged back my good mate Mike, aka “The Whisky Whisperer of Surf City,” and he’s totin’ a bottle of Glenfiddich Gran Reserva 21-Year-Old—finished in Caribbean rum casks, no less! Aye, that’s nae typo: rum casks. Scotch meetin’ the islands in a swirl of banana-kissed dreams and tobacco-laced sunsets. He picked up this stately spirit at a jaw-droppin’ $320.95, and let me tell ye, I nearly dropped my sporran when he uncorked it. At 40% ABV (that’s 80 proof for the bourbon loyalists among us), this golden dram comes wrapped in a legacy longer than a ceilidh dance. 📜 A Wee Bit o’ History for Ye Glenfiddich, founded in 1887 by the determined William Grant in the whisky-hallowed hamlet of Dufftown, is still goin’ strong today—and it’s nae exaggeration to say they changed the game. In 1963, Glenfiddich decided to take single malt global, effectively shouting, “Here, world! Try this magic water!” And try we did. They even opened one of the first distillery visitor centres in 1969—just in time for the Summer of Love and plaid trousers. The name Glenfiddich itself comes from the Gaelic Gleann Fhiodhaich, meanin’ Valley of the Deer, hence that majestic stag that prances proudly on the label. 🦌 🍌🥃 The Tasting, Told in Three Acts From the moment the cork popped, I knew we were in for a Highland fling. The nose danced with sweet peat, caramel, and a whisper of island mischief. First sip? Bananas foster with a Scottish brogue. A hint of toffee strutted in, arm-in-arm with a bit o’ baking spice. Second sip? The tannins tiptoed in like a dapper gentleman at a ceilidh, then suddenly the floor opened to a finish of worn leather armchairs, old books, and a well-seasoned cigar box. Aye… I was smitten. 🧳 Now, as this was technically my very first foray into the realm of single malt Scotch, I must confess—I may already be ruined. Spoiled. Utterly converted. The bar has been set sky-high, and thankfully, my pal Mike has volunteered as the official Scotch Scout of future banter sessions. His wallet weeps so mine doesn’t have to. 🎥 So pour yourself a wee dram, buckle up your kilt, and prepare for warp speed—because as always, our reviews are unfiltered, unscripted, and untamed. And truly, never has that been more true than tonight. Without further ado (and before Mike tries to invoice me for half the bottle), let’s get into it… Slàinte mhath! 🥂 YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@belmontbjornsbourbonbanter?si=FTy4HMhxiJf1Ctyb Full Video Review: 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Glenfiddich 21 Year Gran Reserva Caribbean Rum Cask Finished ✅ https://youtu.be/LKPXB_ePZwE Belmont Björn - BBBB -

Nose; Raisins, malted honey, marzipan, a curious smidge of smokiness no doubt coming from the rum casks. Water makes the nose a little more fragrant. Palate: Sweet and soft arrival, very easy and approachable. Demerara sugar opening onto toffee and chocolate covered raisins. A light spice note of ginger and clove, and a mild coffee presence but it is all very soft. The texture is light but there is an oily quality. Water turns the texture creamy, which is pleasant, and it also opens the palate by bringing out more sugars but I did not detect much rum character. If adding water don’t add more than a half teaspoon to a dram as this is only 40% abv. Finish: Short. Sweet malt fading to cereal. The rum cask influence on this extremely approachable malt is subtle. The distillate speaks clearly of its Glenfiddich origin and the wood has not been allowed to overtake the proceedings. There is no tannin whatsoever. Glenfiddich does not garner love from hard-core enthusiasts, which is a pity. It may lack the intense character and complexity of some whiskies but I can honestly say that I’ve never had a Glenfiddich that I’ve actively disliked. They can be very good but for me they don’t ever rise to a sublime level. However the two biggest things against this dram are the cost and the measly alcohol level. AUD$275 is the best local price I’ve seen and for that money there are other bottles I’d rather buy, and crippling a nice whisky like this by bottling it at only 40% is criminal. If it was 46% (preferably) or even 43% it would be substantially more impressive and much better value. Tasted at the Glenfiddich Whisky Lounge, from a 2024 batch bottle. “Good” : 83/100 (3.5 stars)

The best part of this dram is the nose, which showcases a perfect integration of Glenfiddich distillate and Caribbean rum cask. The aroma features strong notes of vanilla and oak, accompanied by fruity rum flavours that include light spices like clove, tropical fruits such as bananas, and a sweetness from honey and caramel. On the palate, the experience diverges from expectations. There’s an initial burst of fruitiness, but it is quickly overshadowed by unwelcome tannins. The body is somewhat thin yet oily, leading to a drying sensation and warmth reminiscent of rum. I hoped for a longer finish, as I kept searching for something noteworthy, but nothing significant emerged. This 21-year-old whiskey is meant to be drunk sip by sip—a simple drink and nothing to contemplate about. It is straightforward and neat, appealing to those who want tropical spiced rum as their whiskey. The age statement makes it extremely easy to drink, as does the ABV. However, for those seeking a more adventurous experience, I would recommend skipping this one.

My whisky club had this last night. It scored well (mid to high 80s for most members) due to its rich/fruity taste profile and complexity, but why didn’t Glenfiddich bottle this at 46% ABV? High-price whiskies at low ABV are ok when given as a gift where the primary objective it to impress with a fancy hinged closure on the box (think JW Blue Label), but most whisky fans want/deserve more than slick presentation when asked to pay $200+ for a bottle. This is very good whisky which could have been a great whisky if the Glenfiddich sales/marketing folks had less influence. I gave it 84/100, but am pretty sure a boost to the ABV would have pushed the score closer to 90. As my school teacher would say ‘could do better’.

Was hoping to love this as it is $400 cad here tax in got for $150usd at duty free and I would say it’s in that price league it is complex and interesting but seems a little hot for 43% and not as interesting as some other high end scotches I have tried. I do love the initial flavours evolving sweet start floral honeysuckle caramel then ends in that ashy sweetness like burnt sugars making you want another sweet sip you can go through a bottle very quickly !!

Been on a Glenfiddich kick lately and finally popped this guy open. Very rum like nose. Palate is thin to me for a 21 year. Slight rum influence. Banana and raisins but can’t get over the mouth feel. I think this one needs more proof points. For those who want smooth and no burn with some sweet this is your guy. Not worth the price point in my opinion. That said I’ll still enjoy the bottle. Cheers