Speyside

Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch Whiskey Bourbon Barrel Reserve Aged 14 Years
43% ABV
$49.99
Website

What the Distillery Says:
In a class of its own, the Glenfiddich Bourbon Barrel Reserve 14 Year Old uniquely delivers a bourbon heart with the soul of single malt.

Our Malt Master, Brian Kinsman patiently waits for 14 years as the whisky matures in ex-bourbon American Oak casks, and then finishes the whisky in deep charred new American Oak barrels supplied by The Kelvin Cooperage in Louisville, Kentucky.

The result: a rich, sweet and vibrant single malt. Its a whisky that delivers beautifully complex flavours of woody spices combined with ripe summer fruit, resulting from the spirit’s interaction with the casks.

COLOUR: Copper Oak
NOSE: Deep vibrant vanilla notes with hints of citrus, caramalised brown sugar and cinnamon. Baked apple and ripe summer fruits and balanced with the rich oaky aromas.
TASTE: Beautifully rich and sweet with layers of creamy toffee, woody spices, candied orange peel and fresh toasted oak.
FINISH: Long lasting with lingering sweetness.

What Richard Says:
Nose: This explodes on the nose with the smell of fried apple pies. Baked apples seasoned with cinnamon and brown sugar and drizzled with vanilla glaze. The single most “it smells exactly like this…” nose I’ve come across. No “hints” of this or that. As soon as I stuck my nose in the glass I smell the bakery at Mercier Orchards in north Georgia.
Palate: The mouthfeel benefits from the the six more proof points over their 12 and 15. It gives it a bit more richness and depth. The palate flavors don’t jump out as much as the nose. There is a very mellow sweetness playing with the wood. Not the most dynamic palate.
Finish: Dry and chewy. It reminds me of chewing on a toothpick too long.
Comments: This U.S. exclusive release is something rare…a new single malt from an established distiller hitting the market age stated and at or below $50. Well, Glenfiddich has the capacity and stocks to do silly things like give people something they deserve instead of what marketing comes up with as an answer to poor forecasting. Is this some crazy new dynamic from Glenfiddich? No, it’s just a solid malt for a decent price. Really, the flavor profile and finish are a tad too bland for me but damn if I couldn’t smell this all autumn.
Rating: Stands Out

Our thanks to William Grant & Sons USA for providing us with a sample to review.

Alexander Murray & Co Dailuaine Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 16 Years
40% ABV
$45 (Costco Exclusive)
Website

What the Bottler Says:
Dailuaine Distillery is found in the heart of the Speyside Region near Aberlour. Only 2% of Dailuaine Distillery whisky production ends up as a Single Malt. It is also a key component in all the Johnnie Walker Blends. Alexander Murray & Co brings you this rare bottling of Dailuaine Single Malt Distilled in 1997. It has been matured in Oak Casks for 16 years. This gives our single malt a sweet vanilla nose, followed by a sweet, creamy butterscotch taste and a long soft-spiced fruit finish. Perfect for an after Dinner Drink.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Sweet vanilla cream and honeysuckles. As the nose opens it becomes a bit more herbal and grassy yet retaining the back sweetness almost like a Ricola cough drop but much better.
Palate: The palate is a bit thin (probably due to the low bottling proof) but the rich sweetness hits you out of the gate. Vanilla whipped cream on butterscotch pudding. Around the edges is a little hint of prickly spice.
Finish: There is a distinctive malty note before settling to slow mellow oakiness.
Comments: This is another private bottling by Alexander Murray for Costco. They’ve done a few of these over the years and they also do the Kirkland Signature bottlings and bottlings for Trader Joe’s. This isn’t a mind blowing malt but it is tasty and easily drinkable. I wish it was at 43% or 46% and unfiltered. I think then a nice oiliness might show through that would be great with the rich sweetness. If you are a scotch drinker and happen into a Costco it’s worth grabbing a bottle of a rarely seen malt at this great price.
Rating: Stands Out

Speyburn 25 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
46% ABV
$315
Website

What the Distillery Says:
Speyburn 25 Year Old is a whisky of rare quality. The finest Scottish spirit is matured for a quarter of a century in American white oak Fino sherry and bourbon casks carefully selected by the distillery manager Robert Anderson. This slow process produces a multi-award winning single malt whisky of exceptional depth, complexity and balance.

Appearance: Clear Light Amber, Golden Honey, Red Gold, Bright Amber

Aroma: Citrus, Toffee, Fruity – vanilla, honey, apples & pears, woody, oaky, spicy

Flavour: Smooth, vanilla, fruity, grapefruit, sweet, spicy

Finish: Spicy, sweet, long lasting with a dry finish

What Richard Says:
Nose: Creamy rich vanilla custard, sweet stone fruit cobbler, marzipan, and that great “old scotch” smell.
Palate: Lemon cheesecake drizzled with a sherry reduction but much lighter than the nose would lead you to believe. There is a nice little spicy kick as you let it settle on the palate.
Finish: A little hotter and more sherry like with hints of cocoa powder.
Comments: The mix of ex fino sherry and bourbon casks makes for a delicious scotch. This is one for the sherry wood lovers but it’s not an over the top sherry bomb. It’s more balanced and nuanced than that. The ease of drinkability shown in the 10 year old still holds but with more depth of flavor. Spend time with it and layers begin to open up. This is no one trick pony.
Rating: Stands Out

We would like to thank The Thomas Collective and International Beverage for sending us a sample for review.