Glenfiddich 15 Year Old Solera Reserve

This whisky is aged in ex-sherry, ex-bourbon, and virgin American oak casks, and then married together in a Portuguese tun. At first opening, it smelled and tasted like a bourbon, as if it had a conflict of personalities, with all three types of casks vying for control of the nose. But consequent pours brought out its true identity. The 3 casks became 1, melded together, each identifiable, and yet harmoniously married, complex, and enjoyable.

Nose: aromatic, sweet fresh fruit, spice, raisins, honey, vanilla, sherry cask influence is noticeable but well balanced, dark fruits, plum, dark berries, cola, mineral note - this is a complex nose with many layers, very enjoyable, a preview of things to come.

Taste: sweet, sherry note, apples, tea, peppery, fizzy on the tongue, hints of a bourbon, as it sits in the glass, a nutty flavor evolves, toffee, hint of liqourice, dark dry fruits, very warming and echos the nose well

Finish: long and sweet with light bitterness and spice, drying out

Last third of the bottle: I love the nose on this. The bouquet is sweeter than when I first opened it. On the palate, there's a more pronounced nutty note alongside dried fruits and spice. The mouth feel is just a touch watery, but not annoyingly so. As others have said before, this would benefit being bottled at 46% ABV. The finish is longer now, sweet and satisfying. This is a very well balanced whiskey and enjoyable everyday dram. A good marriage of 3 types of casks, worth buying.

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