Glenfiddich Fire & Cane

Glenfiddich May have tried to do too much with this one. While the confusion of the dram is tamed a bit with some water, this isn’t Kinsman’s best work.

overall pretty good but doesn't stand out. it has a bit of heat. It is a decent time with friends kind of drink. it won't take over the conversation kind of drink. There is a little bit of sweet that shows up near the end and disappears quickly.

I’ve heard it compared to a baby Ardbeg Uigeadail and I’d say that’s about right. At half the price, it’s half the strength and half the flavor. Not sure that’s a worthwhile trade off, but it won’t be bad for a daily sipper. The peated barely they use comes from Balvenie and they began distilling it in 2003 when Balvenie began its peat week experiments (think of it as a collaboration I guess). This dram definitely has some of that 15 year old peated scotch, but it’s been cut with a bunch of younger cheaper material. It’s a pretty good value for what it is; the rum finish adds some great astringent burnt brown sugar, but I wish the peat smoke was stronger. A higher abv version would have been a treat, though even as is, it’s probably my favorite ‘fiddich so far.

Delayed smokiness, with a surprising balance of sweetness. It holds its flavor while complementing and taking in other flavors.