Glenfiddich Malt Master's | Whisky Review

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: Glenfiddich, a distillery located in the Speyside region of Scotland.
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
Distillation & Maturation Process: The whisky undergoes a significant portion of its maturation in sherry casks, though it's unclear if it's exclusively matured in sherry casks or if there's a finishing period involved. Initially aged in rich oak casks, likely refill hogsheads, before maturing in sherry barrels.
Age Statement: No specific age statement, but inferred to be around 7 to 8 years old based on taste and historical bottling practices of Glenfiddich.
Physical Description: Bottled at a slightly higher alcohol content of 43% ABV. The review mentions a miniature bottle, indicating that it's available in smaller sizes for convenience.

General Profile: Fruity Speyside character, more intense and fuller than the standard 12-year-old Glenfiddich.
Taste and Aftertaste: Immediate presence on the tongue with a mouthful of oak, indicating a mature character despite lacking an age statement. The aftertaste is medium to long, with a delicate balance of malt spirit and expertise.
Flavor Development: Starts with sorbet flavors that quickly turn into spice, softening into subtle notes of plum with a silky smooth finish.

Master Distiller's Involvement: The casks for this whisky were personally selected by Glenfiddich's Master Distiller, Brian Kinsman, highlighting the care and expertise put into this edition.
Series Expectation: This Malt Master's Edition is part of what is expected to be a series of bottlings, particularly those matured or finished in sherry casks.

Name Origin: Glenfiddich translates to "valley of the deer" in Gaelic, with the distillery's name emphasizing its deep roots in Scottish culture and language. The pronunciation of Gaelic distillery names, including Glenfiddich, typically emphasizes the second syllable.

"It's a wonderful fruity Speyside character in this one. Very intense, very full, a lot more than the regular 12-year-old Glenfiddich." - Horst Luening
"Immediately present on the tongue and then mouthful of oak... really a medium to long aftertaste." - Horst Luening on the whisky's flavor profile.

Glenfiddich Malt Master's Edition is a special single malt Scotch whisky with no age statement, matured significantly in sherry casks.
Bottled at 43% ABV, offering a more intense and fuller flavor profile compared to the standard 12-year-old Glenfiddich.
The whisky showcases a fruity Speyside character, with flavors evolving from sorbet to spice, ending with subtle plum notes and a silky smooth finish.
The casks were personally selected by Master Distiller Brian Kinsman, indicating a high level of craftsmanship and care in its production.
The name Glenfiddich reflects its Scottish heritage, meaning "valley of the deer" in Gaelic.

Speyside Enthusiasts: Individuals who appreciate the fruity and complex character typical of Speyside whiskies will likely enjoy this edition.
Sherry Cask Fans: Those who favor the rich, deep flavors imparted by sherry cask maturation will find this whisky particularly appealing.
Beginners to Intermediate Whisky Drinkers: The lack of an age statement combined with its approachable flavor profile makes it a good choice for those looking to explore beyond entry-level offerings without being overwhelmed.
Collectors: Given the expectation of this being part of a series and the involvement of the Master Distiller in cask selection, collectors might find this edition a worthy addition to their collection.