Glenfiddich Perpetual Collection VAT 01

The renowned single malt producers, Glenfiddich, have unveiled a new collection that I'm almost certain is exclusive to travel retail. The four bottles are stunningly attractive, and the packaging is even more impressive. The presentation is very sophisticated; let's discuss the whisky. Bottled at 40% ABV, the Perpetual Collection Vat 01, labeled "elegant & Smooth," is the initial release, matured in Glenfiddich's well-known Solera Vats. On the nose, it's quite woody. Freshly polished wood, sawdust. Intense fresh fruitiness. Stewed pears and apples. Mashed apples. Honey, cinnamon. After an initial taste, it transformed into rum & raisin ice cream. Ginger. On the palate, dulce de leche, very subtle. Some hay/tobacco notes. The second taste was like marshmallow water; vanilla, honey; That's the profile. A sugary, fruity, light liquid. Milk with sugar. Aftertaste is spicy. Pepper and sulfur. Metallic. The second taste became reminiscent of a horse stable: Hay, tobacco, burnt old grass. I haven't encountered this sulfurous note in a while; it's actually quite pleasant. Overall, this is the most conventional single malt you could possibly purchase. The tasting and aroma notes are the most typical you will ever find in a whisky. That said, it's enjoyable, easy to drink, and quite nice for a 1-liter bottle. Nothing overwhelmingly exciting; this is an introductory dram, suitable for encouraging people to start exploring single malts. My rating for it is 80 out of 100.

Review #43 - Whisk(e)y #29 Purchased at Budapest Airport in a small 50ml bottle, included in a deal with the Meukow VSOP 50ml for 7 euros for both, which appears to be a very good value for sampling a whisky. The spirit is a pale golden color, with a rather oily and viscous texture in the glass, displaying medium-length legs. Nose - The alcohol is quite noticeable alongside some oak-peppery spice, while the whisky also exhibits a malty, fruity sweetness, mirroring the flavor profile of Glenfiddich. Palate - Tastes young, with a strong, unbalanced peppery spice at the forefront, appearing unrefined and with a prominent effervescence. Subsequently, it begins to reveal more malty sweetness, along with fresh fruit (apples and pears). Finish - Short, perhaps short to medium in length, spicy, slightly woody and dry, nothing remarkable. However, the after-taste reveals some more pleasant aromas, possibly subtle dried fruit, a very slight bitterness, and a late floral note. Overall, this is not a bottle I would purchase, particularly considering its price range of 40-65 euros per liter... the Glenfiddich 12 is less expensive and significantly more balanced, complex, and refined than this VAT 01, while also containing whisky of a higher age. Rating System: 5.0 - Perfect 4.5 - Exceptional 4.0 - Very Good 3.5 - Good 3.0 - Decent 2.5 - Average 2.0 - Below Average 1.5 - Barely Drinkable 1.0 - Undrinkable 0.5 - JB

The aroma blends classic Glenfiddich notes with red fruits, muscadine grape, sugary fondant, mild pink grapefruit citrus, and a hint of oaky vanillin, plus a touch of cinnamon. The palate is initially a bit hot and spicy but quickly mellows. It's lightly sweet, with orchard fruits, underripe pineapple, barley malt, a hint of Seville orange, and almond. The body is light with a satisfactory mouthfeel but lacks significant viscosity. The legs appear slowly, dissipate quickly, and are relatively thin, though they are neat, uniform, and leave a pleasant mist in the glass. The finish is dry, with a slight bitterness from grape skins and gentle oak tannins, lingering confectionery sweetness, and a perfume-like fruitiness that is both sweet and sharp, concluding with a note of ground ginger. Nose: 9 Taste: 8 Body: 7 Finish: 8

Purchased to compare with the Glenfiddich Cask Select. Fruity nose with notes of apple/pear/peach. Primarily a woody taste, with some buttery caramel and slight vanilla. Not overly exciting, to be honest. Doesn't leave a lasting impression. The packaging looks great, though!