GLENFIDDICH 14 Bourbon Barrel Reserve Single Malt

GLENFIDDICH 14

Bourbon Barrel Reserve Single Malt Scotch Whisky

by Debbie Shocair, The Whiskey Mistress

Well, well…when the proprietor of my favorite local Happy Juice store pointed out this little gem, I knew it was gonna be mine. The Glenfiddich 15 is one of my favorite single malts and I was sure this one would be a lovely, if divergent, interpretation of GF. The Glenfiddich 14 is aged fourteen years in used Bourbon barrels, then finished in new American charred oak barrels from the Kelvin Cooperage in Louisville, Kentucky, and is, by GF’s own description, “a homage and a celebration of the US Whiskey industry’s contribution to Scottish Single Malt.” Considering the fact the GF has a cooperage of its own, it becomes a sincere and lovely gesture to use only American barrels in this new expression.

On the nose, this one is heavy on honey – almost to the exclusion of any other notes, though closed eyes and careful consideration bring very low notes of oak and peat, with maybe a whisper of maple and molasses.

Breaking the GF14 with a half-teaspoon of water opens the sweet notes of toffee and molasses to more prominence.

The mouthfeel is surprisingly gentle for an 86° whiskey, and it slips back with barely a whisper, only a quick caress and tingle at the tip of the tongue and at the very back of the palate.

I was surprised that the flavor of peat is so much more pronounced on the exit, along with a brief pop of honeyed orange zest. The lingering – long-lingering finish is definitely awash with honey.

Overall, yes. I liked it. I still prefer the GF15, but I’m happy to have GF’s nod to us Yanks. This new rendition has been exclusively crafted for the United States, so it really is pretty special. And, aside from what’s in the bottle, I also really enjoy the clear descriptions GF regularly prints on the back of the presentation packaging.

It’s available at most larger liquor stores in America – I procured it from The Green Jug in Woodland Hills for $47.99 which is more than a fair price. I may have to procure another to fully appreciate the happy nod from the Valley of the Deer. Cheers.