Glenfiddich Age of Discovery Madeira Cask 19 Year

Absolutely exceptional. Wonderful. This Glenfiddich 19yo Age of Discovery Madeira cask is quite sophisticated. Bottled at 40% ABV, it has a lovely mahogany color. I enjoyed all aspects, especially the palate. The nose presents notes of liquorice, brown sugar, crème brûlée, a hint of salt, sweet bread, caramel, and gummy bears. However, I used a tumbler instead of a Glencairn glass, so I cannot definitively say if the aroma is subtle or not. It appears one must make an effort to properly appreciate the aroma of this fine spirit. The palate is very smooth and sugary with a mild warmth, truly fancy. Primary notes: Refined liquorice - very pleasing, Brown sugar and crème brûlée, Oaky yet sweet simultaneously. The finish is rich with an ashy spiciness and a faint smokiness. Magnificent. Overall, this scores 93/100 – a superb dram.

There's nothing quite like the sophistication of sipping a single malt in a hotel room from cheap plastic cups, dressed in gym shorts and a tank top. A Glenfiddich seems out of place in this setting; perhaps moonshine would be more fitting? Anyway, I'm on a business trip in Orlando and managed to bring my Glenfiddich sample along. The nose is underwhelming but shows promise, with notes of oak, spice, and a bit of heat. The taste is significantly better, featuring ginger, bread dough, and spices like nutmeg and cinnamon. The finish is brief. It's good, but not particularly memorable. Decent. For the price, one could find better options. The bourbon cask version in this range was superior. Then again, this is just the opinion of someone sitting here in gym shorts and a tank top – what do I know?

This is a solid 4, maybe early 4s. It has now surpassed the red wine expression as my preferred Glenfiddich. It's rare that a lower alcohol by volume works out, but here it delivers an exceptionally smooth, dessert-like spirit with liqueur qualities and balanced sweetness. For $120 USD, I'd hesitate to purchase a full bottle. However, if you're looking for a prime representation of this style, or more accurately, a demonstration of a powerful Madeira influence, this is a worthy choice. As others have pointed out, the finish isn't lengthy or intricate, nor is the overall profile particularly complex. Yet, the other aspects of the tasting experience make this a minor drawback.

A great start but a disappointing end. The aroma is significantly better than the taste, offering burnt sugar, oak, and chocolate. The taste, however, is intensely spicy (think cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and hell itself), making it hard to enjoy. The finish is smooth, contrasting with the palate, but the overall 40% ABV makes it feel weak and short-lived.

Aroma: Vanilla bean, marmalade, orange peel, fig. If it was wine I’d call it earthy notes but in old dessert type of wine. Taste has that ooziness about with more vanilla and caramelised dried fruit with cinnamon sprinkle. Long lasting conclusion.

The aroma showed potential, which then became a fantastic initial taste that was surprisingly light yet zesty and fruity. The conclusion is likely its weakest feature, but overall a superb bottle. I also acquired this for about 142 in Klia versus 175 at Syd airport.