Glenfiddich Orchard Experiment

Returning to a tasting, I found a rare bottle from when I first started exploring whisky, Port Charlotte CC:01. It remains among the best whiskies I've experienced. It also strongly encouraged me to seek out similar cask finishes. I haven't found another cognac-finished whisky like it; most are only finished in cognac/brandy, not fully matured. Perhaps full maturation in Cognac is what makes PC CC:01 exceptional. Regardless, I'm always eager for a cognac/brandy type cask, so this should be interesting. Glenfiddich Experimental Series aims to reflect a family tradition of innovation and openness, leading to unique single malts. This fifth release in the experimental range blends Scottish whisky with cider traditions from the west country. Glenfiddich Orchard Experiment uses what I believe is standard Glenfiddich malt, aged in European and American oak, then finished in Somerset Pomona Spirit Casks (English apple brandy liqueur casks). It was made in a single batch, and I don't know if more will be produced. Nose: Sharp and very fresh on the palate. Tart green apple, a hint of sultana, and a little vanilla toffee. Looking back, it's a slightly enhanced version of G12; the malt notes recede, and apple becomes more prominent. As the aroma develops, it feels like I might get stung by an agitated wasp; it sharply evokes windfall apples fermenting in the English summer. I'm now wary of wasps. Palate: Vibrant and luscious. It could be a fruit juice. Unfiltered apple juice, citrus zest adds brightness, and some potent cinnamon and nutmeg spices give it an apple strudel feel. What's notably absent compared to G12 is the robust malt and vanilla. It heavily emphasizes the crisp green apple profile (as expected) with only some English toffee joining in. Finish: Medium-short. Be patient... apple sweetness. It concludes with a smooth mouthfeel and a touch of oaky toffee. I've previously been quite critical of Glenfiddich 12, calling it 'rather forgettable'. Make no mistake, I don't dislike Glenfiddich 12 at all. It's perfectly fine. I'd just prefer something else if I had a choice. My hope for this G12 in apple's clothing was for something truly compelling, but it suffers the same issue as regular G12. It's so consistent and mild that it's a bit dull. While the apple character is a bit different from the usual 'orchard fruits' or 'apple' notes found in other whiskies, and it's genuinely apples throughout, it's not enough. The toffees are great when they appear, the spices are adequate. The aroma becomes cloying after a while, though. I will drink this willingly, especially if it were summer and I was relaxing in the sun. I could probably sip a pint without much thought. But this is not Port Charlotte CC:01; rather, it's the least impressive brandy-style cask I've had to date. An experiment? Yes. Scientific advancement? Not really. From a whisky tasting event. [Pictured here with an apple green accompaniment to an apple green themed bottle. This magnificent rock is a 2.7 to 3 billion year old komatiite, a type of volcanic-lava flow that can no longer form as the Earth has cooled to much over the past several billion years. The rock hosts a fantastic apple green and exceptionally rare nickel carbonate mineral called gaspeite. This gaspeite formed at the Earths surface through fluid enrichment processes, concentrating nickel from within the komatiite. Not sure how old the gaspeite is, but its certainly not young. This fantastically coloured mineral is only really known from Gaspe in Canada and Widgiemooltha in Western Australia where this lump is from] 'Brandy' cask running scores: Port Charlotte CC:01 - 5/5 Balvenie 16 French Oak Pineau Cask Finish - 3.5/5 Arran Rare Batch 17 y/o Calvados - 3.75/5 Starward Cognac Cask - 3.5/5 Glenfiddich Orchcard Experiment Ponoma - 2.75/5 (Glenfiddich 12: 3/5)

It's been a considerable time since Glenfiddich released what I considered their last "Experiment," Fire & Cane. Last year, however, they presented the fifth expression in the series, the Orchard Experiment. This Glenfiddich is influenced by cider, specifically by an English family that produces apple cider and brandy, which aligns perfectly with Glenfiddich's traditional fruity character. Bottled at 43% ABV, it has been finished in Somerset Pomona casks, which contain an apple spirit drink. On the palate, it delivers exactly what's anticipated: Pears and apples. Stewed apples, grapefruit. A very fruity, fresh drink. It's akin to a blend of every fruit peel imaginable. On the palate again, the fruit salad continues. Pineapple, pears; a subtle and pleasant spiciness. Faint saltiness and something I can only describe as a sugar cube. Aftertaste is a Glenfiddich hallmark: Hay, burnt grass, and imperceptible sugar. Overall, I must admit that even though these types of whiskies aren't my preference, this one achieves its stated goal: a fruity explosion so fresh that most whiskey drinkers will likely enjoy it without much contemplation. It's my least favorite of the experiments collection, but it still passes the mark. My score is 82 out of 100.

Sampled blindly in colored glasses alongside the Grand Cru. I was unable to discern which was older, but I found the Orchard to be slightly superior. Both possessed a pleasant fruity body and a lengthy finish. It's a good choice and offers better value than the Cru.

Nose: Smells slightly soapy/chemical. Fermented apples, seems like young Glenfiddich and no highlight overall. Taste: You can taste some apples and there is some spiciness. Overall, not rich in flavors and also a flat whiskey.

80 points. A really boring scotch. Despite being aged in apple liquor barrels, the taste is quite dull.

A fruity, light, and pleasantly cider-like drink with hints of honey.