Glenfiddich 14 Year Old Rich Oak

Nose: First, wood and wheaty bread. Then the wood becomes vanilla and cloves, while the bread sustains. Not too sweet; the only fruit is white and pulpy, and is slightly bitter like nutmeg.

Palate: Sour oak with sweet vanilla on entrance, then dry vanilla and bread. A fleeting transition of white chocolate before the finish.

Finish: White fruit with macadamia nuts, while clove-like pepperiness dances on the tongue. Thereafter it fades to a gentle bitterness of nutmeg.

This has elements of my last 3 reviews. To a much smaller extent than the Auchentoshan Classic, there is a bitterness and white-fruit effect. Then there is the bread character of the Bunnahabhain 18; but this 14 has less salty nut character. And then there is the oak spiciness of Glenlivet's Nadurra; but this 14 does not exhibit the same layers of yellow fruit or toffee or cream found there. Overall, the Glenfiddich is enjoyable but doesn't excite me as much as the Nadurra did. Despite its title of "Rich Oak", the usual oak spices and phenols are more muted; so my impression is more of "Clean Oak". It's a good light character, especially for summer, and deserving of a good score.

If you want it a tad less sour, let it breath-- Or consider Glenfiddich's other expressions, the 19 Age of Discovery or 21 Rum Finish. Although less balanced, the 14 may have more "character" than these (beyond pure levity).

Find where to buy Glenfiddich whisky