Glenfiddich 12 Year Our Sherry Cask Finish

I can't determine if this is a permanent offering or an exclusive release. The packaging suggests the latter, but it's been available for a considerable time. Regardless, I saw this as a great chance to revisit the fundamentals and explore a variation on one of the whiskies that initially guided me into this category. The sherry influence and the additional 3% ABV are certainly elements I would have suggested for the original 12 years ago, so it's quite satisfying to see them implemented. Nose: Notes of vanilla, toffee, and honey. Strawberry jam, raisin, apricot, and pear. Pronounced almond. Welch's White Grape Juice. Prominent floral characteristics. Fig and date. Honeydew melon. Palate: A robust flavor of apple, pear, and apricot. Hints of golden raisin. Raspberry and citrus orange. Toffee, honey, and butterscotch. Date, fig, and cranberry. Vanilla and caramel. Cinnamon, white pepper, clove, nutmeg, and oak. Finish: Vanilla, caramel, and milk chocolate. Toffee, honey, and butterscotch. Cranberry, raspberry, fig, and date. Orange citrus. Cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and oak. A moderately long duration. Overall, I appreciate the inclusion of the Amontillado cask. The extra 3% ABV is also beneficial. It presents the characteristic Glenfiddich, Speyside, fruity profile. The balance is good, with a bit more intensity than I typically experience with Glenfiddich. If I had the authority, this expression would take the place of the standard 12. That's precisely why I'm not in charge. I suspect the extra effort and attention dedicated to this bottling conflicts with their objective of being the top single malt brand globally. C'est la vie. At $63, I believe it's worth it. Scotch has experienced significant price increases. While I understand this has led some in the US to explore bourbon, as long as these Scottish distilleries continue to produce inventive, premium expressions annually, it would require excessive price hikes for me to leave the category. An enjoyable whisky. Rated 4 out of 5.

Nose: Great fresh orchard fruits, nice raisins, light honey, toasted malt, subtle nutty notes, whisper of vanilla, spice, and oak. Taste: Fruit, raisin blend, sherry, spiced cake, touch of cinnamon, vanilla, some toasted nuttiness with a hint of smoke, and tobacco. The finish is a little peppery with barrel char and a slightly herbaceous taste that has the faintest bitterness. All in all, a really good 12-year-old when stacked up against many others I've experienced. Give it a go.

A delightful sherried scotch. The aroma and flavor are rich and full, featuring dark red fruits and malt. Plenty of seasoned oak provides balance along with some pleasant spices. The lengthy, soft finish dries out without being too tannic. I'm quite surprised; I anticipated it would be decent, but this can easily compete with other top-tier 12-year-old sherry bombs. 88/100

The aroma has notes of oak, sherry, and mild fruit. The Amontillado cask imparts a distinctive taste on the tongue. It's a touch warm for being bottled at 43% ABV. The finish brings spices, primarily cinnamon, and a bitter conclusion. I purchased this because it was reasonably priced and I had no prior experience with an Amontillado-finished scotch. For the cost, it met expectations.

Nose: Gentle and fruity, featuring pear, honey, and traces of preserved fruit and cinnamon. Palate: Delicate and velvety, revealing flavors of cooked apples, vanilla, nuts, and a whisper of sherry depth. Finish: Pure and calm, with faint wood, mild spice, and a hint of raisin sweetness.

Nose: oak, sherry, sweet spice with a subtle vanilla and nutty aroma. Taste: sherry, vanilla, tobacco, and allspice. Finish: sherry is prominent initially, followed by vanilla in the middle, and a lingering finish of sherry, hints of vanilla, and allspice. It smooths out nicely on the finish.