Whiskey_Hound
Glenfiddich 15 Year Solera Reserve
Single Malt — Speyside, Scotland
Reviewed
April 2, 2020 (edited June 11, 2020)
On the heels on my review of the 12 year, I think now is a good time to tackle its older brother. The 15-year Solera. On an interesting concept; as a result a good portion of this juice is well older than 15 years old. Ex-bourbon, ex-sherry, virgin oak. Let's check it out.
Nose: Heavy vanilla, caramel, and orange citrus. Honey, toffee, ginger, and oak. Classic Fiddich apple, pear, and apricot, kiwi, and floral notes. Graham cracker and walnut. Some golden raisin and white grape, but otherwise, not a huge sherry presence. Maybe a bit of cranberry. The Bourbon cask definitely exerts the most prominent influence on the nose. I read French Toast on the internet. Not my note, but it it's undeniable that's there. Good start.
Palate: It's a fruit bowl. Apple, pear, orange, plum, apricot, golden raisin, fig, date, cranberry, white and red grape. A lot going on there. A bit of cola and some chewy caramel. I'm getting some those raspberry-flavored Valentine's chocolates (don't even know what else to call it). Big toffee, big malt, plenty of vanilla and oak. The sherry and bourbon oak share the load this time around. I've got little experience with Virgin Oak, so I'm going to leave that out of my analysis. Good stuff.
Finish: Some dark fruit (cranberry, date, fig, raisin), coupled with vanilla and toffee. More of the apple, pear, and kiwi. A bit of a cinnamon and oak kick. It's somewhere between short and moderate length, leaning toward the latter. Not all that long, but there's plenty of complexity while it lasts.
Another 4 star outing for Glenfiddich. To me, they offer a very consistent product. But as long as they're bottling at 40%, they'll never crack the threshold that divides very good and great. The 14 remains the best of the age-stated GFs I've tried, and, no coincidence, it's bottled at 43%. Honestly, I think all of these could use a 3% bump to really achieve their potential.
While they cut corners on the proof here, they certainly did not hold back on the aged-stock. The Solera aging method works wonders here. It's a refined yet flavorful expression; I think the interplay between multiple generations of malt makes for a fantastic product. Great job here Glendfiddich; I doubt you'll ever increase the ABV on your products because, ultimately, the bottom line rules. So I've heard. At any rate, thanks for a solid bottle.
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Great review. I visited the Glenfiddich distillery a few years ago, and part of the tour was to go into the warehouse where the solera vat is located. It’s like one of the those above-ground swimming pools, only deeper. Wonderful experience.
Cheers mate thanks for your comment
@Agustino-Ong Thanks man! I've only ever tried the 18 once, and let's just say it wasn't the first thing I'd tried that night. So I really can't say. It's like a more refined version of the 12 year (minus the smoke), or a fruitier version of the 14 Bourbon Barrel. Those are my only points of reference
Nice review mate. Im interested in this expression. But does it have the same pungent honeysuckle taste like the 18?
@1901 Gotcha, that's interesting. I've had a taste of the 18 but can't remember much so I'll leave it out. Out of the 12, 14, 15, XX, and Fire & Cane, my favorite is the 14. Wish I could've done comparisons, but sadly I've never had the chance to put it up against another GF
@Whiskey_Hound just this. The 18yo was like liquid wistfulness and I’m good with the 12 too. I see you’ve tried a few other Glenfiddichs. Which is your favourite?
@Scott_E @1901 Thanks guy! 1901, was that the case for just the 15 or all 3?
Nice review. I had this in a flight with the 12 and 18yo and in contrast to @Scott_E I had higher expectations and was slightly disappointed.
@Whiskey_Hound I too was impressed by this one. Had lower expectations going in. Nice review!
@Ctrexman Appreciate it man! Glad to know at least one of these hits the mark for you!
This one Im totally on board with. Nice review