Glenfiddich 14 Year Old Rich Oak

I always throw a sideways glance at the Glenfiddich in the store but never tried one. Until today, when I picked up a 5cl sample-triple out of curiosity: 12yrs "signature malt", 14yrs "rich oak" and 15yrs "solera vat". Thought it could be interesting to jot down a few notes if someone else is curious (and I'll probably save you some money too).

12 Yrs: Nose is sweet, lemon with some liquorice, a clear sherry influence (I'd have said PX but I think they say Oloroso) and 'flowery soap'. The palate isn't very good - varnish and quite in your face sherry that's lying on top of a base spirit that just isn't nice. The finish is medium and the varnish lingers. I won't give it a mark, suffice to say that there are a lot better alternatives out there for about the same price. In the UK this one is about £26, which is on par with HP12 when on sale. Go for the HP, it's an absolute no-brainer!

14yrs: Now this one is better. Still a notable sweetness on the nose, but none of the overbearing sherry influence. The palate has a much nicer viscosity with a clear and present vanilla but much better integrated. Medium long finish with honey and vanilla. Not a favourite by far, but its ok. The vanilla is reminiscent of the few bourbons I've tried. In the UK this one comes in at £46 which puts it in the price range for real good drams and more expensive than Springbank 10, Kilkerran, Ardbeg An Oa and A'bunadh. Do NOT spend your money on this one.

15yrs: A less 'in your face' sherry and much better integrated nose than the 12. Subdued. The sherry is clearly present on the palate, but the chemical and soapy undertones are gone, and it comes together a lot better. The Sherry is now part of the dram in a better way and isn't floating on top. The finish is more reminiscent of the 14 in terms of lingering honey. In the UK, this comes in at £40 - also not worth it.

So in conclusion: Dear Glenfiddich, it was nice to briefly meet you - I'm afraid we shall never meet again. And for those, like me, who were curious - I'll say with absolute conviction that 'for your money' there is a world of more interesting and more pleasant experiences out there.

I'd probably say that the 14/15 are around a 79-81 mark, depending on your mood for sherried dram on the occasion (my, "sure, I can drink it but I'd never buy it"). The 12 is just not nice at all (so why bother with a score in the lower 70's), I'd not drink it if I could avoid it.

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