Glenfiddich Grand Cru 23 Year

My path with spirits has spanned about 13 years. I've previously followed the route of high proof, natural color, non-chill-filtered, simple packaging, and informative labels. This leads to a group of like-minded individuals who are very particular, often discussing their experiences with spirits at 60%+ ABV while trying not to get intoxicated. I've moved past that phase. The Glenfiddich Grand Cru 23-year-old aligns with my current preferences: - It's at least 40% ABV - It likely contains added coloring - It's probably chill-filtered - It comes in an impressive presentation with a revolving base, a unique bottle opening, and a stunning, heavy black bottle that rivals Macallan. The packaging certainly commands a higher price. Putting jest aside, there's nothing inherently wrong with this presentation. It appeals to the average consumer. And for the spirit enthusiast in me, who now values great taste and uniqueness, this is also enjoyable. This spirit is not for the traditionalist. Its flavor profile is limited, more like a shape rather than a full spectrum. It is intensely fruity, somewhat floral, with earthy and chalky undertones. It offers a distinct sparkling white wine or champagne character in a 40% ABV spirit. For a champagne fan, it's intense; for a whiskey fan, it's light. Nevertheless, it's exceptionally unique and, in its own way, lovely. There's a complete absence of saltiness, smokiness, maltiness, or spiciness. I recall bringing this to a holiday gathering last year, and people who primarily drank beer or wine, or who were convinced they disliked Scotch, all enjoyed it. I enjoyed it with good company, and I also enjoy it on my own occasionally. It's ideal when I desire a champagne-like experience in a spirit I can reseal and savor over time. I don't always seek that intense, cask-strength profile. One can't always maintain that aggressive persona. I've enjoyed this spirit so much that I sought out a similar scent for my home, discovering a reed diffuser called “Pear and Freesia.” Freesia is a type of iris. This Grand Cru 23-year-old is at its best aromatically. It's a burst of apples, pears, white grapes, and strawberries. The floral notes are intertwined with the fruit, evoking the scent of fragrant flowers like freesia. The palate is lighter, and the finish is brief, but both are pleasant, and the champagne influence is unmistakable, making this spirit unique. What other spirit tastes like high-end champagne? This bottle is priced just over $300. Like all spirits I review now, it's worth the cost. For alternative suggestions, I'm seeking spirits with intense fruitiness and broad appeal. Easier to find alternative: Compass Box Orchard House ($50). It has prominent apple and pear notes. However, it also includes young malts for cereal notes and, at 46% ABV, it has a stronger kick than the Glenfiddich. Harder to find alternative: Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Pittyvaich ($400 and difficult to locate). It shares the intense and rich pear and floral notes of this Glenfiddich, but also offers more depth for traditional whiskey enthusiasts with its added maltiness and smokiness.

This whisky is like attending a concert. You hear a new band is coming, and they sound promising – a Scottish single malt with 23 years of experience, even incorporating a Grand Cru finish for a unique sound. The tickets are pricey, but what the hell, this band sounds intriguing with a fresh vibe from some Grand Cru influence. The opening act starts the show, a Glenlivet 12 to get you moving with familiar tunes, and you're feeling good. As they conclude their set, you eagerly await the new band, Glenfiddich Grand Cru 23, hoping they'll blow you away with their fusion twist. The lights dim, but you catch hints of apple, pear, orange creamsicle, and grappa on the nose, making you curious. Then the stage lights up with the first sip, and you realize the lead singer is absent, leaving just the drummer, guitarist, and bassist. You're surprised the singer didn't show, but having already paid, you stay for the rest of the concert, taking another sip and enjoying the music of apple, pear, orange creamsicle, grappa, and cigar box presented with a velvety rhythm. The finale of apple, pear, orange creamsicle, and grappa with a ginger snap is also enjoyable. The band performed well, and you had a good time, but you can't help but wonder about the absent lead singer who should have provided the vibrant lyrics, charismatic presence, and overall epic experience. It was a concert you enjoyed, but you wouldn't suggest it to friends, as you can find better bands for the same price, or even less, that consistently deliver a great performance with their lead singers.

This was quite a letdown. A 23-year-old single malt in a beautiful bottle, costing around $300, labeled "Grand Cru" – a term signifying a special wine blend – and matured in premium French casks for champagne, yet it delivers a flavor comparable to many 12-15 year old Speyside whiskies. It's rather disappointing for the consumer. I'm not saying it was a bad dram, far from it; it's just average. Unmemorable. Bottled at 40% ABV, with a golden hue. Nose: Vanilla powder, yellow apples, caramel powder, pears, chocolate powder, wine-like notes. After a second taste, it became predominantly caramel and lemon. Palate: Lacking depth. A very standard fresh apple flavor with hints of pepper. Pears are also present. Finish: The best aspect, but still quite ordinary. Ginger, vanilla powder, cinnamon, apples. Subsequent sips revealed some mineral notes, possibly salt. And that's all. I find this not only dull and commonplace but also representative of some "premium" spirits that feature standard, safe flavors aimed at less experienced whiskey drinkers with deeper pockets. They'll likely enjoy it as a smooth, apple-flavored drink, but for seasoned critics and enthusiasts, it's simply unexciting. I wouldn't spend more than $40 on a whole bottle; it's not even superior to the 15, 18, 19 Age of Discovery, or the 21-year-old Glenfiddich expressions, a point I believe is undeniable. My rating is a disappointing 77 out of 100. Move along, there's nothing remarkable here.

The nose is rich and full, suggesting age, though not the complexity or deep, dark, rich flavors of some others. The palate is disappointingly light and watery, which isn't surprising given the 40% ABV, but still a letdown. A pervasive wateriness is noticeable. There are some light fruit notes, but the overall flavors lack distinction in quality. The balance is decent, with fruitiness, some spice, and a touch of cardboard, but it doesn't offer much in terms of taste. It's better than bland sake but has its own flaws. The flavor is light, lacking smoke or sea spray. There's ample sweetness, akin to mild sugar water, but it also has an off-putting bread note, not quite spoiled but past its prime. It definitely has a light character that vaguely reminds me of champagne, yet also brings sake and shouju to mind. Unfortunately, it's really not very good. I appreciate some of the sweetness and a bit of the subtler swirling character, but it tastes somewhat like Sho Chiku Bai Nigori with unpleasant bread – not terrible, but odd. I detect only a trace of the richness mentioned by another reviewer. I do taste a little pear and sweet apricot, which are pleasant, but insufficient at this price point and, frankly, for a whiskey in general. For the most part, it doesn't taste bad, but it tastes like a lot of nothing.

This is a review of the exclusive duty-free bottling at 43% Nose - Pleasant fruity/floral, dark fruity honey, vanilla, ripe apples, pears, trace of cooked golden raisins Taste - Pleasant mild candied ginger spice, golden floral honey, vanilla, trace of cinnamon, spiced apple/pear cider, slightly drying mouthfeel, fruity oak, golden raisins Finish - Lingering mild candied ginger heat, light grape seed/vine bitterness, fruity honey, more blend of ripe and unripe green pear, light mineral/chalky/dusty mouthfeel Score - 86/100 Final Thoughts - I haven't tried the 40% version, but I suspect the 43% version is considerably better as I believe that slight increase in proof helps preserve and amplify some of the more subtle characteristics in this dram. This has a very nice pleasant aroma that does hint at an effervescent/acidic grape influence to it which I found nice & enjoyable. This does translate a bit to the palate, but a bit more gently. I get a very dark fruity fresh honey vibe to the dram which is nice and I can see how this could appeal to the masses (especially those who are new to Scotch and are looking for something approachable). The mouthfeel does capture a bit of the mouthfeel and "vibe" I get from older Scotches. Finish is a bit short, but pleasant. Would I drink it if offered? - Yes Would I specifically order it? - Maybe Would I buy a bottle? - No, I'd value this bottle at about $80-$100USD

Nose: quince, vanilla, Williams pears. A generally fresh and light nose, but excellent! Palate: At first glance, it resembles a traditional whiskey aged in ex-bourbon barrels, but then a slightly tart flavor takes over on the tip of the tongue, reminiscent of a blanc de blanc. However, the two flavors don't seem to blend well; they appear as separate taste lines rather than being well-integrated. Very thick and oily. The finish is also tart and medium-long. In summary, a certainly innovative whiskey, but one that hasn't convinced me at all. Rating 3.75. _______________________________________________________________________ Nose: quince, vanilla, Williams pears. A generally fresh and light nose, but excellent! Palate: At first glance, it recalls a traditional whiskey matured in ex-bourbon barrels, but then a slightly acidic flavor takes over on the tip of the tongue reminiscent of a blanc de blanc. It doesn't seem to me, however, that the two flavors blend so well together; they seem like two separate taste lines and not well mixed. Very thick and oily. The finish is also acidic and medium-long. In short, a certainly innovative whiskey, but one that has not convinced me at all. Score 3.75.