1. Glenfiddich 12 Years
Glenfiddich 12 Years is the entry-level single malt whisky produced at the distillery with the youngest aging period and the most affordable price among entry-level single malt whiskies.
The symbol of Glenfiddich is a deer. The name Glenfiddich itself means “valley of the deer” in Gaelic. The bottle representing Glenfiddich is uniquely triangular among various whisky bottles, designed by the renowned designer Hans Schleger in 1961, who imbued it with meanings of water, air, and barley.
It is written that the whisky, matured for Glenfiddich 12 years in both Oloroso sherry casks and bourbon casks at the bottom of the bottle, creates a balanced, beautifully aromatic, and subtly complex taste. Additionally, the spirit is further matured for several months in marrying tuns before being bottled.
For the 15-year-old expression, there are slight differences in the process. It uses bourbon, sherry, and virgin casks employing the Solera system. I will elaborate on this in detail in the review of the 15-year-old expression later. The ingredients include grains, water, and caramel, with an alcohol content of 40%, and it contains 66.3kCal per 30ml (1oz) serving.
2. Glenfiddich
1) Glenfiddich Distillery and William Grant & Sons
The Glenfiddich Distillery is a distillery founded by William Grant, who worked at the Mortlach distillery for 20 years and became independent in 1886. It is located in a place called Dufftown, and the distillery was established by Grant’s family members. To this day, it remains a family-owned distillery.
The water drawn from the distillery is from the Robbie Dhu spring, which is used by both Balvenie and Kininvie distilleries. At that time, most whiskies were blended whiskies. When the Glenlivet distillery had a fire accident, Glenfiddich partially took its place, and from then on, Glenfiddich began to prosper.
In 1892, the famous Balvenie distillery was expanded, and its major customer at the time was a whisky company called Pattisons. When this company collapsed in 1898, the remaining spirits were used to create Grant’s whisky, which was previously known as Stand Fast. Grant’s is considered one of the world’s top three blended whiskies, but it is not well-known in Korea.
In 1903, a company called William Grant & Sons was established, and in the 1920s, with the advent of Prohibition in the United States, most distilleries reduced or ceased production, but Glenfiddich continued production, believing that Prohibition would not last long.
After Prohibition, Glenfiddich experienced even greater growth, and in 1963, it became the first in the world to release a single malt product. It is now the world’s best-selling single malt whisky, with expressions including 12, 15, 18, and 21 years old.
2) Tasting Notes
Firstly, Glenfiddich 12 is light. It carries hints of fruits like apples or pears, sweetness of vanilla, and a light touch of acidity. The aroma itself is not too intense.
Tasting it reveals a remarkably light character. Initially, there’s a sense of bourbon, followed by a rise of sherry notes. It’s easy to drink, despite its alcohol content of 40%. There are no prominent features; it’s a smooth whisky overall. You can also sense a nutty maltiness.
While I used to appreciate whiskies with a robust and strong flavor profile, I find the lightness and smoothness of this whisky charming. Hence, it would be enjoyable for highballs or on the rocks.
3) Product Information
Product Name: Glenfiddich 12 Year Old
Food Type: Whisky
Volume: 500ml
Alcohol: 40%
Manufacturer: William Grant & Sons Distillers Limited
3. Overall Review
In conclusion, I consider Glenfiddich 12 to be a great daily whisky for easy sipping. It’s understandable why it’s highly recommended for those beginning their journey into single malts. There’s no strong peatiness.
Whiskies with a long finish and intense flavors are best enjoyed neat without any food pairing. Glenfiddich 12, with its clean finish and light flavor profile, makes me think it would pair well with food. Especially, it seems like it would complement seafood dishes very well.
If you’re a whisky enthusiast, chances are you’ve already tried this product, considering Glenfiddich is the world’s best-selling single malt. Therefore, I recommend giving this product a try if you’re interested in whisky.