As a more experienced whisky drinker myself, I still appreciate the 12 yo Glenfiddich. It is very recognizable, very accessible and very affordable. Still love it, after all these years.
Nothing wrong with going back to basics from time-to-time. Acts as a bit of a palate recalibration and (hopefully) makes you a bit more appreciative of the special stuff.
Glenfiddich 12 is a staple in my bar, even after quite some years of drinking whisky. While marked as "pedestrian" and borderline "boring" here, I still appreciate that given it is produced in large quantities it always has been (and still is) quality stuff. As your everyday dram to enjoy while relaxing, Glenfiddich 12 will do the job just fine.
I remember back in the late 1980s my grandad who was a "Johnnie Red" man opening a bottle of this at christmas like he was the king of the world as Glenfiddich was seen as highfalutin. How times have changed.....
For my dad in the 60's it was the same story except he went for the Black. Be interesting to taste those Red's and Black's now and see how the current bottlings compare.
This was my first single malt also. This and The Glenlivet 12. Still enjoy it very much and always have this one in my cabinet. I also love the 15 year old Solera. The 14 year old is a very decent bottle for social drinking with friends.
This was my first ever Whisky around 7 years ago. One of the most important days in my 45 years on this planet. It was the start of a most wonderful and rewarding journey of discovery. I'll be forever thankful to Glenfiddich and to you Rally for opening my eyes to the exquisite world of whisky. Here's to you Glenfiddich! 🥂 Cheers.
My first ever taste of whisky was when I was 15! I had entered the Scotsman news paper's Saturday crossword competition. I didn't really expect to win so it was a lovely surprise to find out that I had won first prize. I travelled through to Edinburgh with my dad driving us both through to collect the prize. I had no clue what the actual prize was. I stayed out in the car as the Scotsman offices were on North Bridge and *ahem I don't think you were allowed to park outside the offices. My dad went inside whilst I waited out in the car. It was a cold, dreich, miserable day/night and my dad seemed to take an age! When he eventually returned he handed me a bag containing my prize. To my complete surprise it was a full, sealed, decorative decanter of Famous Grouse Scotch Whisky along with a silver quaich worth £75 with my name etched onto it. Needless to say the decanter did not stay sealed for very long and thus my love for Scottish Whisky was born! My second ever Scotch Whisky was Glenfiddich 12yr old! Anyways ma auld mucker, ma malt mate brother fae another mother! Have a lovely week and a lovely wee dram 🥃
On top of "availability affordability accessibility" I would add repeatability. You rarely get a bad (or even different) bottle of Glenfiddich 12. Always consistent, always nice to revisit. Cheers.
I’ve always respected the consistency of Glenfiddich. Not the best in terms of depth, but great in terms of knowing exactly where you stand with it, which can be a struggle with even the best of whiskies
Like a lot of folks, it was Glenfiddich that got me into Scotch and I also found it kind of pedestrian after a few years. But you know what else? After 15 years of exploring Whisk(e)ys, I've come to appreciate it as a light and delicate malt for those days when malts such as Port Charlotte Heavy Peat or Ardbeg Uigeadall or Balcones Texas Malt are just too much. Too rich, too heavy, or too intense. It's refreshing and well put together in a way just works as a nice counterpoint to the big burly brawlers I'm usually drinking.
I agree wholeheartedly. Glenfiddich 12 is one of the best control whiskeys so you can judge the rest based on it and a very good way to get new people to enjoy single malts. I always drink some of it once every two years just to see if my perception of it, my palate or the drink tiself has changed. Thanks for the video ralphy, cheers from Greece
I've a very soft spot for Glenfiddich. My first single malt was an eight year old, a litre of which I'd scored on the way back from Brittany in 1974. My old lady stayed home from work with a cold one day. When I came in, she greeted me with a big smile and a: 'Hello darling! I made myself a hot toddy!' With - fully - a third of it! She was hammered and quite delighted. I daresay the share of the cask of Glenfarclas we all chipped in on, some years later, would've remained untouched. Oh well. It was funny, though.
In Italy the supermarkets that have it keep it in a locked glassdoor 'vetrina' with an antitheft tag bolted to the neck of the bottle. Bargain is a bargain for all, whisky lovers or shoplifters. Cheers, Ralfy!
Nothing wrong with this whisky, solid enough, on the nose I get green apples 🍏 and pears 🍐 and at less than £30 A bottle always good to have on the bar 🥃
The problem with some distilleries which are under the umbrella of big corporate overlords is that the focus often shifts from just making good consistent quality product to the marketing, branding, and gimmicks. The two distilleries that I have become the most disillusioned with since I started my journey, both under LVMH, Glenmorangie and Ardbeg, are good examples. It's all about the yearly special releases and things that have nothing to do with whisky now. And this we've seen happen in an alarmingly short space of time, though I'm sure the machinations were put in place quite a while back already. Anyway, that's why I have so much respect for Glenfiddich. They may be a huge brand, but as a family run enterprise, they are doing things right and are consistent atleast.
More than a courtesy, this is an iconic malt and deserves respect for constantly being available/affordable/dependable all over the world. I don’t buy it often but I like it.
I’ll also add that I once tried the 18 year and honestly for being one of the cheaper 18 year malts it was pretty respectable. The 15 was a decent malt too. They’re not a small boutique experience, but they’re better than most
Am a very deep into beer, and I enjoy the rare artisasnal beers but from time to time you just want to enjoy a can with you fellas. I treat Glenfiddich as such, just a nice product and you can still enjoy it for what it is
My first single malt. I used to drink blended on the rocks since I was 15-16 years old (I know it's wrong to say it, but yes, I drank at parties or meetings as a minor) my favorite was Old Parr and Swing. One day, at the university, around the year 2000, a classmate invited us to a party at his house and he took out a box full of tin cans of Glenfiddich. Each bottle had a scotish clan. His father had kept them since the 80's. Tasting those dusty bottles of whiskey, made me realize that a single malt has much more to offer, and that's where my malt journey began.
Its so true as a boy in the 70s the posh folk took a G12 and Glenmorangie whereas the proles had Bells, Haig, Teachers (lush), Cream of barley and VAT 69 🤣
Agree wholeheartedly. Sometimes I like to come back to this when I'm feeling like having a pedestrian whisky. I think it has a warm place in my heart and I respect it for what it is.
I like Glenfiddich 12, it's just pleasant and solid. I'll always have it around, preferably as a liter bottle. Doesn't wow, but also doesn't disappoint. Fairly priced, too. My favorite Glenfiddich that I've had so far (12, 14, 15, Fire & Cane among them) is the Project XX. It sets the palate well for more complex and challenging whiskies in a flight as well.
I'm happy to live my mere life, in the part of this great World I was blessed to be spawned in. Happy because, among the other reasons, I know somewhere you live tastefully (I hope) and do your vids. We have not much of good whiskey here, the best I could have is a bottle of Robert Burns once a year. Still I do enjoy your reviews and I like to feel your culture through them. Sry for my English.
There are times when you crave something definite and dependable, for me Glenfiddich has always been what Johnny Walker red label tries to be, it is a classic Scotch with a familiar flavor profile, I love it and usually get it in the 1 liter bottles to have on hand.
When you talk about destroying the brand, Highland Park is the biggest disappointment to me. It used to be a favourite that I would recommend and give as a gift, now I actively warn people off. I have a bottle of 18 from back when that I am loathe to open because I can’t replace it.
It's one of my favorite distilleries to visit. And it was the first scotch I liked. But as you say, it isn't challenging at all. Love the three corner bottle. Thanks for re-reviewing Cheers 🥃
I think that the Glenlivet 18 is a very good whisky for starters(if you leave out the fact that it is quite an expensive bottle). Even if you drink it in a sloppy way - that is to say: as a beginner - it is enhancing. The glenlivet 18 is the whisky which made me eventually curious to other whisky's. In fact, I first tried to find a second - more cheaper - 'glenlivet 18'-like whisky (Arran 10 might be close, though very different). On the way I discovered many, many delicious malts over the past one or two years and now I try to find new styles instead of 'copies' of whisky's that I like. And this channel is very good, although I try to form my own opinions, which is - I think - also the spirit of your reviews! Sapere aude! Grtz from the Netherlands!
Agreed. You are spot on about the marketing. It is a benchmark for packaging and branding. Evolution not revolution. And it's been rewarded with sales and loyalty.
My first Scotch was Grand Old Par, I liked slight peat flavor and from there went to Highland Park 12 and Ardbeg 10. Thanks to Ralfy and a couple other tubers, I have not tried Johnnie Walker, Glenfiddich or Glenlivet. It did not take long to get to the point where I do not buy Scotch unless it is at least 46% and non chill filtered. Thanks Ralfy for saving my taste buds and wallet.
Loving your recent posts of some well loved, and widely appreciated entry level malts for those just starting their Journey and those seasoned anoraks who could use a little dose of nostalgia and appreciate and remember how we got to our current station. Cheers~!
Hi Ralfy. Very interesting your comments here on consistency of packaging....this was my late grandfather's whisky of choice; he's been gone 20 years but whenever I see a bottle or tube of Glenfiddich I think of him. Great review, happy new year 👍
Oh no , your wonderful Big-Clive-Clicker does not work 😨. I really love it sooooooo much 😍. I hope, Clive is able to repair it again 👍. Glenfiddich 12 was also my gate-opener into the whisky-universe many years ago in the 1980th. Nowadays I do prefer some different malts 😉 Thanks for this video, Slàinte 🥃 and best regards from the middle of Germany 🙋♂
I inherited a free bottle of this last year from an office that was closing down. I would spice it up a bit by putting a teaspoon or so of some other cask strength whisky into the glass. It was a great vessel for taking a stronger other flavour, especially some lightly peated whiskies.
I like this one it's easy to drink with a nicely balanced flavour profile. Family members of mine long since past use to really rate this whiskey and the biggest reason why I buy it myself on occasions.
Its one if the first three whiskies i bought, glenfiddich 12, balvanie carribean cask and a gifted 1/3 drunk laphroaig quarter cask. I hated the laphroaig at first but its now my go to whisky, i still like the other two but have not bought them in years unlike the quarter cask which i have had about 7 bottles in 8 years.
I've never tasted the Glenfiddich 12 yo, how strange it may seem. But I've bought a 3 x 20 cl bottle set with the 12 yo, 15 yo and 18 yo (I found them at a very reasonable price) so I can try these three standard core range Glenfiddich expressions. I actually look forward to tasting them, even though I must also admit that..... I do not..... uhm I do not expect being overly impressed (there... I picked my words carefully too 😄). Cheers Ralfy.
I'm well into my whisky journey and have recently moved to Scotland near to Bladnoch Distillery, what a find, definitely my favourite, their peated Alinta has knocked Lugavullen of it's top spot for me
Glenfiddich 12 makes a pretty good whisky sour, or the base whisky in a Penicillin cocktail. P.s. I'm reading Search for a Whisky Bothy at the moment - and I have to read it in my head with your voice, Ralfy. Makes the story that much better! 🙂
This was my entry into the world of malt whisky. I have volumes to learn still, and it has been a long while since I've had a dram of Glenfiddich, but I still have a fondness for it. It wouldn't hurt to get my hands on a bottle...
Absolutely agree on the branding, Ralfy. In fact, my dad sent me a picture from Christmas morning in the 1980s when I was a wee lad (about 4) holding a bottle of Glenfiddich 12. While the bottle shape was dumpier and more square, it was immediately recognizable by the label. By the way, I wasn't drinking at 4.... I think I was tidying up. Clean at a young age 🤣
Glenfiddich 12 was my first ever whisky - during a GF distillery tour! It started my love for whisky and whilst I did move on and I wouldn't call it anywhere close to a favourite now, there is always a bottle in the bar - a great, consistent benchmark!
Good to see the more accessible malts still feature on your channel. Although not a big fan of the GF12, I will have a dram and enjoy it when in the mood.
I loved it 30 years ago, I loved it 20 years ago, I loved it 10 years ago and i love it today. The most consistent single malt ever and a very nice whisky for "everyday" consumption.
Nice putting on of another perspective! And you are confirming the ideas I last had when I sipped a Glenfiddich: Not a really bad whisky but somewat boring for people with a certain experience. The canvas aspect is new to me - I may test that out!
Out tonight, only manage one night a week now. The barman in my local Legion club got a bottle of Big Peat,a blended Islay at 50% for me to try, really found it quite nice, Home now watching your review enjoying a Glen Moray Elgin classic, can't afford anything a bit more complex. Keep up the good work.
Want to have fun? Stick GF 12 into a blind tasting. Catches them out every time. It is what it is. Uncomplicated daily sip and nothing wrong with that.
A classic example of how my palate differs from Ralphy's. This is one of my favorite scotches - and not because it's affordable but because I really like the taste. Of course, I don't have Ralphy's "sophistication". lol
Recently got into drinking single malt and bought 4 different brands at same time namely Aberlour 12, Balvenie 12 and Bunnhabhain 12 and Glenfiddich 12. So far this one is my favorite.
14:48 Ralphy, enjoy your reviews and the Whisky wisdom. I am just getting started so I am trying to soak up all the lessons. I just finished my Glen Fiddich and am ready for a new adventure.
Try to confuse us with different bonnets and Glenfiddich? Not the one I started with. That was Glen Moray, but as you mentioned, readily available in hotel bars in the early 80s and since I traveled a lot on business...
I've just received a bottle for Christmas. It's a step up from my usual blended dram Old Smuggler (which I like). I look forward to further recommendations Ralfy!
Just into Whisky now and will be waiting with baited breath on your next review of the progression process ! P.S More than impressed with your in depth of chosen words of describing.
In bars and restaurants that have a small, basic selection of liquor, where there are only one or two single malts, this one is almost guaranteed to be present. Glenlivet 12 is the other that turns up most frequently, at least in my area. Macallan 12, Oban 14, one or more from Glenmorangie's core range, and Laphroiag 10 are also quite common; if a place has four or five single malts, it is highly likely that most of these will be present. With the exception of Laphroiag, these are easy drinking and beginner friendly. I suppose there is sufficient demand for peat monsters that a good bar or restaurant will want to keep one on hand, and they are likely to stick to the familiar one. Even adventurous drinkers usually seem happy with Laphroiag 10, so it is often the best choice out of a limited selection. It makes sense that these are widely available since they have a broad appeal. Many people are happy with these and never move beyond them. For adventurous drinkers who have moved on to other things, these bottles that are designed for the mass market can seem boring and watered down, but they are worth revisiting from time to time. They are still good products, and sometimes, a lighter, simpler whisky is the right choice. When sitting in a bar and talking with other people, and not paying a lot of attention to the drink in the glass, a shot of Glenfiddich 12 is just about right. Also, one of these can be a good palate cleanser to drink before moving on to more challenging whiskies. Starting with a glass of 60% cask strength Glenfarclas is a bit of a shock to the palate, after all.
Glenfiddich was my entry point into Scotch whisky, and I couldn't have asked for a more friendly, welcoming introduction. I still return to it now and again to get my bearings and recalibrate.
I like the good stuff but honestly, I could drink this any day and enjoy it. It's amazingly consistent over the years, I haven't spotted a difference in 20 years.
Thanks for revisiting these brands Ralfy. It's great to know which , in your opinion, have kept up their standards of quality or succumbed to market pressures of their products.
Two rebrands I've come to like a lot are the rebrand of Arran and the one for Benromach. Both really needed it, though. Generally, I look at what a change of bottle liveries must cost, and wonder where they're cutting to get that money together. I really need to pick up another Glenfiddich 12; it's a good bottle to have on hand if a guest comes over and isn't sure whether or not they like whisky -- and I have a sample of a 1970s vintage Glenfiddich 12 that really needs a compare and contrast video made about it.
Re-packaging: "Not a drug-fuelled marketing executive's fantasy" (07:03) Had just watched Ralfy´s review 955 Glenmorangie and almost spilt my porridge laughing! Thanking the man in the Manx bothy for this brilliant and cutting observation. Glenfiddich remains a popular choice up here at 64N. If you ever try the local Flóki single malt Icelandic whisky then it has improved since their first attempts when it smelled like rotten hay. Best avoid the Tað Reykt or Sheep Dung smoked whisky though. Smoking lamb this way works perfectly well-hangikjöt for Christmas dinner. As an ex-pat Weegie I'll stick to a peaty Scottish malt...
I realize that I am not a typical scotch whisky drinker. I started with Laphroaig 10 yo. I had tried a dram of Glenlivet 12 yo seven years earlier and was so put off by it’s blandness, I gave up on scotch single malt whiskies. Of course Ralfy is right, if I had tried to start with Laphroaig 10 yo cask strength, it would have ended right there, but I was offered a dram of the entry level Laphroaig at a party and fell for it…hook, line, and sinker.
I didn't mind this near the start, but haven't went back to it. Moved up the ladder a notch or 2 lol. As for the Norlan ad, I've treated myself to a 2nd Rauk glass even though I drink my Drams neat I just really love those glasses! 😀🥃🥃
Yeah, I find that the mindset of "beginner's Scotch" (or anything) is only a thing for connoisseurs far beyond my palate. I've been drinking Scotch for 25 years, and just because I haven't "graduated" to exhaling a puff of smoke and picking peat out of my teeth after a sip, does NOT mean I'm a beginner. It may mean, in fact, that I appreciate subtlety and a smooth blending of mild flavors. I don't need, or want, to be slapped across the face with peat and smoke. Same with beer. You can keep your hoppity-hop-hop, extra-hoppy, dry-hopped hoppington mc-hopface, hopmeister beer.. I'll take a subtle, smooth, robust brown ale, with a hint of coffee and chocolate, thank you very little. Or a crisp, ice-cold, American lager, after mowing the lawn in 90 degrees. So when I sit down with a pipe and a finger or two of Scotch and book/TV show/back garden view, I like a Scotch that isn't roiling around my mouth, competing for my attention, just a beautiful, smooth, delicious warmth added to my soul a sip at a time. My 2 pence.
hmm, I had this for the first time over at a friends house. and it blew me away, (although im quite new to all this) it tasted just like pine, and smelled that way. however you dont describe it that way.
Looking for a nightcap when on holiday abroad it’s my go to, as you are usually faced with the the poor stuff. But as you say, it’s just not getting the senses going anymore. I now look for the local liquor.
As a more experienced whisky drinker myself, I still appreciate the 12 yo Glenfiddich. It is very recognizable, very accessible and very affordable. Still love it, after all these years.
It is adorable indeed. But you can buy Laphroaig 10 for £28 most of the time, which is superior in every aspect in my opinion.
Not the most comparable whiskies, would you not agree? @@Kac309
Agreed 👍
Nothing wrong with going back to basics from time-to-time. Acts as a bit of a palate recalibration and (hopefully) makes you a bit more appreciative of the special stuff.
Glenfiddich 12 is a staple in my bar, even after quite some years of drinking whisky. While marked as "pedestrian" and borderline "boring" here, I still appreciate that given it is produced in large quantities it always has been (and still is) quality stuff. As your everyday dram to enjoy while relaxing, Glenfiddich 12 will do the job just fine.
I'm marking my calendar for October 9th, 2023. If my maths are correct, that will be Ralfy review 1000! The journey continues... 👍
I remember back in the late 1980s my grandad who was a "Johnnie Red" man opening a bottle of this at christmas like he was the king of the world as Glenfiddich was seen as highfalutin. How times have changed.....
For my dad in the 60's it was the same story except he went for the Black. Be interesting to taste those Red's and Black's now and see how the current bottlings compare.
@@billk9856 night and day I would bet.
This was my first single malt that turned me onto every other scotch. It was and still is a pleasure.
This was also one of my early single malts, but I have moved up to integrity bottlings!
This was my first single malt also. This and The Glenlivet 12. Still enjoy it very much and always have this one in my cabinet. I also love the 15 year old Solera. The 14 year old is a very decent bottle for social drinking with friends.
@@reptilianskin Pretty expensive in the UK though. £60+ IIRC.
What is "integrity bottling"? Thank you@@DileepB
@@artieboy24It basically means it is at least 46% abv, has no added colour, and has not been chill filtered.
This was my first ever Whisky around 7 years ago. One of the most important days in my 45 years on this planet. It was the start of a most wonderful and rewarding journey of discovery. I'll be forever thankful to Glenfiddich and to you Rally for opening my eyes to the exquisite world of whisky. Here's to you Glenfiddich! 🥂 Cheers.
My first ever taste of whisky was when I was 15! I had entered the Scotsman news paper's Saturday crossword competition. I didn't really expect to win so it was a lovely surprise to find out that I had won first prize. I travelled through to Edinburgh with my dad driving us both through to collect the prize. I had no clue what the actual prize was. I stayed out in the car as the Scotsman offices were on North Bridge and *ahem I don't think you were allowed to park outside the offices. My dad went inside whilst I waited out in the car. It was a cold, dreich, miserable day/night and my dad seemed to take an age! When he eventually returned he handed me a bag containing my prize. To my complete surprise it was a full, sealed, decorative decanter of Famous Grouse Scotch Whisky along with a silver quaich worth £75 with my name etched onto it. Needless to say the decanter did not stay sealed for very long and thus my love for Scottish Whisky was born! My second ever Scotch Whisky was Glenfiddich 12yr old!
Anyways ma auld mucker, ma malt mate brother fae another mother!
Have a lovely week and a lovely wee dram 🥃
. . . lovely story of happenstance 😊
On top of "availability affordability accessibility" I would add repeatability. You rarely get a bad (or even different) bottle of Glenfiddich 12. Always consistent, always nice to revisit. Cheers.
I’ve always respected the consistency of Glenfiddich. Not the best in terms of depth, but great in terms of knowing exactly where you stand with it, which can be a struggle with even the best of whiskies
Like a lot of folks, it was Glenfiddich that got me into Scotch and I also found it kind of pedestrian after a few years. But you know what else? After 15 years of exploring Whisk(e)ys, I've come to appreciate it as a light and delicate malt for those days when malts such as Port Charlotte Heavy Peat or Ardbeg Uigeadall or Balcones Texas Malt are just too much. Too rich, too heavy, or too intense. It's refreshing and well put together in a way just works as a nice counterpoint to the big burly brawlers I'm usually drinking.
I agree wholeheartedly. Glenfiddich 12 is one of the best control whiskeys so you can judge the rest based on it and a very good way to get new people to enjoy single malts. I always drink some of it once every two years just to see if my perception of it, my palate or the drink tiself has changed.
Thanks for the video ralphy, cheers from Greece
I've a very soft spot for Glenfiddich.
My first single malt was an eight year old, a litre of which I'd scored on the way back from Brittany in 1974.
My old lady stayed home from work with a cold one day.
When I came in, she greeted me with a big smile and a:
'Hello darling!
I made myself a hot toddy!'
With - fully - a third of it!
She was hammered
and quite delighted.
I daresay the share of the cask of Glenfarclas we all chipped in on, some years later, would've remained untouched.
Oh well.
It was funny, though.
I just finished reading "Life, Death & Wisky". I enjoyed it thoroughly. 🧐
This channel is an absolute joy.
Best wishes from Essex.
In Italy the supermarkets that have it keep it in a locked glassdoor 'vetrina' with an antitheft tag bolted to the neck of the bottle. Bargain is a bargain for all, whisky lovers or shoplifters. Cheers, Ralfy!
A nice one to keep on hand. Cheers.
Nailed the "crème brûlée" This is a good everyday whisky
Nothing wrong with this whisky, solid enough, on the nose I get green apples 🍏 and pears 🍐 and at less than £30
A bottle always good to have on the bar 🥃
Its always enjoyable. It is a simple single malt but really enjoyable one.
The problem with some distilleries which are under the umbrella of big corporate overlords is that the focus often shifts from just making good consistent quality product to the marketing, branding, and gimmicks. The two distilleries that I have become the most disillusioned with since I started my journey, both under LVMH, Glenmorangie and Ardbeg, are good examples. It's all about the yearly special releases and things that have nothing to do with whisky now. And this we've seen happen in an alarmingly short space of time, though I'm sure the machinations were put in place quite a while back already. Anyway, that's why I have so much respect for Glenfiddich. They may be a huge brand, but as a family run enterprise, they are doing things right and are consistent atleast.
Revisiting a classic is always fun. Cheers, Ralfy.
Glenfiddich 12 makes an excellent start to any tasting flight. It's also one of the best gateway Whiskies money can buy.
Incredibly well done malt, considering the volume of production. You have to praise it! Stop being snobbish, malt mates!
More than a courtesy, this is an iconic malt and deserves respect for constantly being available/affordable/dependable all over the world. I don’t buy it often but I like it.
I’ll also add that I once tried the 18 year and honestly for being one of the cheaper 18 year malts it was pretty respectable. The 15 was a decent malt too. They’re not a small boutique experience, but they’re better than most
Am a very deep into beer, and I enjoy the rare artisasnal beers but from time to time you just want to enjoy a can with you fellas. I treat Glenfiddich as such, just a nice product and you can still enjoy it for what it is
Well done, Ralfy. Your videos in 2022 were a pure joy and very interesting. Please more on different flavor prófiles and flavor ranges.
My first single malt. I used to drink blended on the rocks since I was 15-16 years old (I know it's wrong to say it, but yes, I drank at parties or meetings as a minor) my favorite was Old Parr and Swing. One day, at the university, around the year 2000, a classmate invited us to a party at his house and he took out a box full of tin cans of Glenfiddich. Each bottle had a scotish clan. His father had kept them since the 80's. Tasting those dusty bottles of whiskey, made me realize that a single malt has much more to offer, and that's where my malt journey began.
My first bottle of single malt was Glenfiddich 12 - a gift from my boss back in the 80’s. The perfect gateway scotch. Cheers. 🥃
A whisky that a lot of people will have started with ,myself included,so well worth being recognised I'd say
Oh no! Clicker trouble has returned :-)
Its so true as a boy in the 70s the posh folk took a G12 and Glenmorangie whereas the proles had Bells, Haig, Teachers (lush), Cream of barley and VAT 69 🤣
Hey Ralfy. You´re appreciated, just so you know. Regards from Denmark
Agree wholeheartedly. Sometimes I like to come back to this when I'm feeling like having a pedestrian whisky. I think it has a warm place in my heart and I respect it for what it is.
I like Glenfiddich 12, it's just pleasant and solid. I'll always have it around, preferably as a liter bottle. Doesn't wow, but also doesn't disappoint. Fairly priced, too.
My favorite Glenfiddich that I've had so far (12, 14, 15, Fire & Cane among them) is the Project XX.
It sets the palate well for more complex and challenging whiskies in a flight as well.
I'm happy to live my mere life, in the part of this great World I was blessed to be spawned in. Happy because, among the other reasons, I know somewhere you live tastefully (I hope) and do your vids. We have not much of good whiskey here, the best I could have is a bottle of Robert Burns once a year. Still I do enjoy your reviews and I like to feel your culture through them. Sry for my English.
This has a very pleasant finish.
There are times when you crave something definite and dependable, for me Glenfiddich has always been what Johnny Walker red label tries to be, it is a classic Scotch with a familiar flavor profile, I love it and usually get it in the 1 liter bottles to have on hand.
When you talk about destroying the brand, Highland Park is the biggest disappointment to me. It used to be a favourite that I would recommend and give as a gift, now I actively warn people off. I have a bottle of 18 from back when that I am loathe to open because I can’t replace it.
First time listener, Explained well! Thank you sir
It’s been a while since the last time I watched anything from Ralfy. Good and refreshing to know that the malty mate’s still a-dramming 😊
It's one of my favorite distilleries to visit. And it was the first scotch I liked. But as you say, it isn't challenging at all. Love the three corner bottle. Thanks for re-reviewing Cheers 🥃
My first acquaintance with single malt whisky, a long time ago.
Brilliant comments about this, thank you
I think that the Glenlivet 18 is a very good whisky for starters(if you leave out the fact that it is quite an expensive bottle). Even if you drink it in a sloppy way - that is to say: as a beginner - it is enhancing. The glenlivet 18 is the whisky which made me eventually curious to other whisky's. In fact, I first tried to find a second - more cheaper - 'glenlivet 18'-like whisky (Arran 10 might be close, though very different). On the way I discovered many, many delicious malts over the past one or two years and now I try to find new styles instead of 'copies' of whisky's that I like. And this channel is very good, although I try to form my own opinions, which is - I think - also the spirit of your reviews! Sapere aude! Grtz from the Netherlands!
Agreed. You are spot on about the marketing. It is a benchmark for packaging and branding. Evolution not revolution. And it's been rewarded with sales and loyalty.
I bought a bottle of 12 year old bottled in 1983, and then then current bottle. Looking forward to compare the two
My first Scotch was Grand Old Par, I liked slight peat flavor and from there went to Highland Park 12 and Ardbeg 10. Thanks to Ralfy and a couple other tubers, I have not tried Johnnie Walker, Glenfiddich or Glenlivet. It did not take long to get to the point where I do not buy Scotch unless it is at least 46% and non chill filtered. Thanks Ralfy for saving my taste buds and wallet.
Loving your recent posts of some well loved, and widely appreciated entry level malts for those just starting their Journey and those seasoned anoraks who could use a little dose of nostalgia and appreciate and remember how we got to our current station. Cheers~!
This was my introduction to single malt. I agree with the going back problem, bland is what I found but ... I still am grateful and respect it.
Many of us cut our teeth on this tame but always consistent malt……it taught us the basics and we tip out hat to it for that
There was also Ralfy review 18 with Glenfiddich 12! Back in March 2009... a long time ago...
This was one of my first single malts. Maybe even the first in general. My first Scotch was JW Black label.
Wonderful pear note in this whisky!
Often the ONLY choice in a bar that doesn't specialize in Scotch, let alone single malt!
Hi Ralfy. Very interesting your comments here on consistency of packaging....this was my late grandfather's whisky of choice; he's been gone 20 years but whenever I see a bottle or tube of Glenfiddich I think of him. Great review, happy new year 👍
The apple and pears on the Glenfiddich are just spot on its just really nice whisky.
Oh no , your wonderful Big-Clive-Clicker does not work 😨. I really love it sooooooo much 😍. I hope, Clive is able to repair it again 👍.
Glenfiddich 12 was also my gate-opener into the whisky-universe many years ago in the 1980th. Nowadays I do prefer some different malts 😉
Thanks for this video, Slàinte 🥃 and best regards from the middle of Germany 🙋♂
I inherited a free bottle of this last year from an office that was closing down. I would spice it up a bit by putting a teaspoon or so of some other cask strength whisky into the glass. It was a great vessel for taking a stronger other flavour, especially some lightly peated whiskies.
I like this one it's easy to drink with a nicely balanced flavour profile. Family members of mine long since past use to really rate this whiskey and the biggest reason why I buy it myself on occasions.
Its one if the first three whiskies i bought, glenfiddich 12, balvanie carribean cask and a gifted 1/3 drunk laphroaig quarter cask. I hated the laphroaig at first but its now my go to whisky, i still like the other two but have not bought them in years unlike the quarter cask which i have had about 7 bottles in 8 years.
I've never tasted the Glenfiddich 12 yo, how strange it may seem. But I've bought a 3 x 20 cl bottle set with the 12 yo, 15 yo and 18 yo (I found them at a very reasonable price) so I can try these three standard core range Glenfiddich expressions.
I actually look forward to tasting them, even though I must also admit that..... I do not..... uhm I do not expect being overly impressed (there... I picked my words carefully too 😄).
Cheers Ralfy.
I'm well into my whisky journey and have recently moved to Scotland near to Bladnoch Distillery, what a find, definitely my favourite, their peated Alinta has knocked Lugavullen of it's top spot for me
Glenfiddich 12 makes a pretty good whisky sour, or the base whisky in a Penicillin cocktail.
P.s. I'm reading Search for a Whisky Bothy at the moment - and I have to read it in my head with your voice, Ralfy. Makes the story that much better! 🙂
This was my entry into the world of malt whisky. I have volumes to learn still, and it has been a long while since I've had a dram of Glenfiddich, but I still have a fondness for it.
It wouldn't hurt to get my hands on a bottle...
Absolutely agree on the branding, Ralfy. In fact, my dad sent me a picture from Christmas morning in the 1980s when I was a wee lad (about 4) holding a bottle of Glenfiddich 12. While the bottle shape was dumpier and more square, it was immediately recognizable by the label.
By the way, I wasn't drinking at 4.... I think I was tidying up. Clean at a young age 🤣
Glenfiddich 12 was my first ever whisky - during a GF distillery tour! It started my love for whisky and whilst I did move on and I wouldn't call it anywhere close to a favourite now, there is always a bottle in the bar - a great, consistent benchmark!
"Treat it with respect." Well said.
I always get green fruits on the nose including gooseberry. Quite distinct.
Good to see the more accessible malts still feature on your channel. Although not a big fan of the GF12, I will have a dram and enjoy it when in the mood.
I loved it 30 years ago, I loved it 20 years ago, I loved it 10 years ago and i love it today. The most consistent single malt ever and a very nice whisky for "everyday" consumption.
Nice putting on of another perspective!
And you are confirming the ideas I last had when I sipped a Glenfiddich: Not a really bad whisky but somewat boring for people with a certain experience.
The canvas aspect is new to me - I may test that out!
A basic staple of most pubs in England, thanks Ralfy!
Out tonight, only manage one night a week now. The barman in my local Legion club got a bottle of Big Peat,a blended Islay at 50% for me to try, really found it quite nice, Home now watching your review enjoying a Glen Moray Elgin classic, can't afford anything a bit more complex. Keep up the good work.
Ralfy respect ! It's good basic whisky . Slànte Mhath !
Want to have fun?
Stick GF 12 into a blind tasting.
Catches them out every time.
It is what it is.
Uncomplicated daily sip and nothing wrong with that.
My go to drink in Spoons.
This was my first single malt..and i love it
A classic example of how my palate differs from Ralphy's. This is one of my favorite scotches - and not because it's affordable but because I really like the taste. Of course, I don't have Ralphy's "sophistication". lol
Recently got into drinking single malt and bought 4 different brands at same time namely Aberlour 12, Balvenie 12 and Bunnhabhain 12 and Glenfiddich 12. So far this one is my favorite.
14:48 Ralphy, enjoy your reviews and the Whisky wisdom. I am just getting started so I am trying to soak up all the lessons. I just finished my Glen Fiddich and am ready for a new adventure.
Try to confuse us with different bonnets and Glenfiddich? Not the one I started with. That was Glen Moray, but as you mentioned, readily available in hotel bars in the early 80s and since I traveled a lot on business...
Nice one! 🥃
I've just received a bottle for Christmas. It's a step up from my usual blended dram Old Smuggler (which I like). I look forward to further recommendations Ralfy!
Well of course I was listening,and of course you nailed it again Ralphie .Great review and very fair .No whistles or bells just honesty
Just into Whisky now and will be waiting with baited breath on your next review of the progression process ! P.S More than impressed with your in depth of chosen words of describing.
In bars and restaurants that have a small, basic selection of liquor, where there are only one or two single malts, this one is almost guaranteed to be present. Glenlivet 12 is the other that turns up most frequently, at least in my area. Macallan 12, Oban 14, one or more from Glenmorangie's core range, and Laphroiag 10 are also quite common; if a place has four or five single malts, it is highly likely that most of these will be present. With the exception of Laphroiag, these are easy drinking and beginner friendly. I suppose there is sufficient demand for peat monsters that a good bar or restaurant will want to keep one on hand, and they are likely to stick to the familiar one. Even adventurous drinkers usually seem happy with Laphroiag 10, so it is often the best choice out of a limited selection.
It makes sense that these are widely available since they have a broad appeal. Many people are happy with these and never move beyond them. For adventurous drinkers who have moved on to other things, these bottles that are designed for the mass market can seem boring and watered down, but they are worth revisiting from time to time. They are still good products, and sometimes, a lighter, simpler whisky is the right choice. When sitting in a bar and talking with other people, and not paying a lot of attention to the drink in the glass, a shot of Glenfiddich 12 is just about right. Also, one of these can be a good palate cleanser to drink before moving on to more challenging whiskies. Starting with a glass of 60% cask strength Glenfarclas is a bit of a shock to the palate, after all.
Glenfiddich was my entry point into Scotch whisky, and I couldn't have asked for a more friendly, welcoming introduction. I still return to it now and again to get my bearings and recalibrate.
I like the good stuff but honestly, I could drink this any day and enjoy it. It's amazingly consistent over the years, I haven't spotted a difference in 20 years.
Its good whiskey to drink and to give!
Thanks for revisiting these brands Ralfy. It's great to know which , in your opinion, have kept up their standards of quality or succumbed to market pressures of their products.
Two rebrands I've come to like a lot are the rebrand of Arran and the one for Benromach. Both really needed it, though. Generally, I look at what a change of bottle liveries must cost, and wonder where they're cutting to get that money together.
I really need to pick up another Glenfiddich 12; it's a good bottle to have on hand if a guest comes over and isn't sure whether or not they like whisky -- and I have a sample of a 1970s vintage Glenfiddich 12 that really needs a compare and contrast video made about it.
Re-packaging: "Not a drug-fuelled marketing executive's fantasy" (07:03) Had just watched Ralfy´s review 955 Glenmorangie and almost spilt my porridge laughing! Thanking the man in the Manx bothy for this brilliant and cutting observation. Glenfiddich remains a popular choice up here at 64N. If you ever try the local Flóki single malt Icelandic whisky then it has improved since their first attempts when it smelled like rotten hay. Best avoid the Tað Reykt or Sheep Dung smoked whisky though. Smoking lamb this way works perfectly well-hangikjöt for Christmas dinner. As an ex-pat Weegie I'll stick to a peaty Scottish malt...
"Drug-fueled marketing executive's fantasy." Brilliant.
I realize that I am not a typical scotch whisky drinker.
I started with Laphroaig 10 yo.
I had tried a dram of Glenlivet 12 yo seven years earlier and was so put off by it’s blandness, I gave up on scotch single malt whiskies. Of course Ralfy is right, if I had tried to start with Laphroaig 10 yo cask strength, it would have ended right there, but I was offered a dram of the entry level Laphroaig at a party and fell for it…hook, line, and sinker.
I didn't mind this near the start, but haven't went back to it. Moved up the ladder a notch or 2 lol. As for the Norlan ad, I've treated myself to a 2nd Rauk glass even though I drink my Drams neat I just really love those glasses! 😀🥃🥃
Yeah, I find that the mindset of "beginner's Scotch" (or anything) is only a thing for connoisseurs far beyond my palate. I've been drinking Scotch for 25 years, and just because I haven't "graduated" to exhaling a puff of smoke and picking peat out of my teeth after a sip, does NOT mean I'm a beginner. It may mean, in fact, that I appreciate subtlety and a smooth blending of mild flavors. I don't need, or want, to be slapped across the face with peat and smoke. Same with beer. You can keep your hoppity-hop-hop, extra-hoppy, dry-hopped hoppington mc-hopface, hopmeister beer.. I'll take a subtle, smooth, robust brown ale, with a hint of coffee and chocolate, thank you very little. Or a crisp, ice-cold, American lager, after mowing the lawn in 90 degrees. So when I sit down with a pipe and a finger or two of Scotch and book/TV show/back garden view, I like a Scotch that isn't roiling around my mouth, competing for my attention, just a beautiful, smooth, delicious warmth added to my soul a sip at a time. My 2 pence.
hmm, I had this for the first time over at a friends house. and it blew me away, (although im quite new to all this) it tasted just like pine, and smelled that way. however you dont describe it that way.
Looking for a nightcap when on holiday abroad it’s my go to, as you are usually faced with the the poor stuff. But as you say, it’s just not getting the senses going anymore. I now look for the local liquor.
It's funny that you said that Glenfiddich 12 years old was a good whiskey for beginners. My first taste of whiskey was Glenfiddich 12 years old!