Glenfiddich 12 Year Old

It's been a few years since I've had some Glenfiddich 12, so it'll be interesting to see how this compares to 2007-2008 or so. A friend of mine received this as a gift, opened it, decided he didn't like whisky and gave it to me knowing I would enjoy it more. Thanks man ! Score for me.

Nose: Gently fruity. Pears in syrups, sweet honey, some wood character in the form of tame vanilla and a note akin to a straw fire (there is a very subtle smokyness). Not very complex, but no flaws either. Typical basic Speyside. I remember this smelling younger and more solventy. No water added.

Palate: Light bodied and ephemere. More of the nose (pears, honey, vanilla). What you smell is what you get, although there is a cloying, oily something in the back of my mind that I can't pinpoint. It's not harshness, more like a mineral oilyness. Not that distracting and it comes and goes. Sweet overall and not complex either. No water added.

Finish: Short and sweet. Fleeting fruityness and icing sugar lingers somewhat longer on some sips. No water added.

This is the mac and cheese of single malt scotches. Available everywhere, dependable (this is better than what I had a few years ago) and a sure value. Are there better/more interesting offerings at this price point ? Yes, without a doubt, but this is a decent 40%, caramel, chill filtered mass marketed offering.

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