Just picked up a bottle of this today as my first single malt. Very pleased with my purchase. Just the aromas alone were fantastic. Thank you very much for this review as it was what made me decide to give it a try!
Bought a bottle of this, as my local shop finally started stocking Glenfiddich. Absolutely mysterious scotch with a great spice to it. My friend made a comment that it tasted like Captain Morgan's, and I rightly slapped him and took his glass! lol Thoroughly enjoyed this bottle.
I just wanted to comment that I recently opened a bottle of this and am just blown away! Smooth. Complex. Woody. Perfect. I'm not sure if its getting better, or it's my taste. This is one of the best scotches I've had ... at this point.
I love the newer reviews when you take your time and talk about everything. I was searching about select cask and what is a VAT system is and I landed here. 😄
I just started my whisky adventures, and before I did, I found your videos. They have been INCREDIBLY helpful and educational. I bought a bottle of this today (here in Texas, USA), and it was excellent. Loved the spice, oak, and warm feeling of it. Great lasting flavor, and the nose was so wild.
Ah Ralfy. Quality as always. I had the pleasure of watching this review with both a glass of 15 YO and 12 YO. I'm enjoying the 15 YO so much more. I've decided it is the red wine to the 12 YO's white wine.
I got some 15 year glenfiddich last weekend friend and I had to go half and half on it. Totally worth it, a fine single malt. The vanilla fragrance and flavor along with initial taste of pepper which starts off strong but as your palate adjusts it becomes just as smooth as the vanilla. A very unique and enjoyable flavor, saving up for an 18 year now.
Well, I just tried this whisky based on your review and once again, you are SOOOOOOOOOOO RIGHT! This is now a favorite of mine as I climb up the malt ladder, as you so wisely say.
I just got done with a bottle of The Glenlivet 15 year. Today I got a bottle of Glenfiddich 15 year for tonight in front of a fire. I'm so excited to try it.
Glenfiddich is one of my favorite whiskies since it brings me a very accurate and mellow taste which I can rarely meet in other whiskies. Thank you sir for a splendid and interesting review, it's always a pleasure listening to you. Keep up good work. Russia watches you.
Got a bottle of Glenfiddich 15 for my b-day and I fell in love with it. The problem is that my second attempt at malt whisky was Laphroaig 10... It was a shock...
Ralfy. Hows all?! Things couldn't be much better as I just received a Glenfiddich 15yo Distillers Ed.@ a delightful full flavored 51%AbV. Hats off to the folks @ G'fiddich. As an official bottling, a non-chill filtered 15er w/102°proof can only bring more folks to the brand, especially w/a $61USD price tag. This 15yo is everything you've said it is but with a welcome...well, quasi-craft presentation (appears a wee e150a-ish to me) An overall 'taste of the titans'! cheers Ralfy.
This is a very nice whiskey , my friends and parents loved it. Drunk my whole bottle. Im definately replacing it. Its awsome how Glenf 15 appeals to a lot of people. My mother was very surprised when i gave her a glass. I dont think she will be going back to Cutty Shark 3yr old
Welcome home mate! Man-On-the-Street Review! Here I am engaged in a G15yo SR. STILL a wonderful dram Ralfy. MOS gives it a "go out and grab one today" Peace
Dear Ralfy, First of all thank you so much for the nice reviews. i can't find your review of the Glenfiddich 18yo. its one bootle i couldn't get along with it. thanks.
@OD533 In my opinion yes! More spicy, more oak, rounder, full bodied, more komplex! The 15yo is an exellent coice to, good value! But the 18yo is really worth a try!!!
Well Ralfy, while you were being a gracious host and replying I was out "going for it"! I stopped at the local liquor store and purchased a 750ml Johnnie Walker Black Label on special, a 50ml Glenlivet 12 y.o. and hopefully (fingers crossed) a Glenmorangie sample pack. It has (4) 100ml bottles of 10 y.o Original, 12 y.o. Lasanta, 12 y.o. Quinta Ruban and 12 y.o. Nectar D'or. Tomorrow after work, I get to work!! LOL!! Thanks Ralf!
Love your reviews. I agree...love the 18 year. Love the 15 year more. But I stick with the 12 year because I am not rich. Tell me...what is YOUR favorite scotch? If you needed to pick just one. I want to try something new. Thanks for the work you do. Even makes me want to drink tea.
I just got a bottle of this from my local LCBO here in Southern Ontario Canada for the price of eighty dollars. I have not tried it yet since it is for occasions so it will be a short while before I crack it open. I did not receive a little booklet/pamphlet in my bottle like you did.
Now that I have tried this twice first neat and a few days later with a touch of water, maybe half a teaspoon of water to a nice two finger pour. At first it is quite oakey and a bit stringent with a strong alcohol smell. Ten minutes after it has sat the toffee notes come through with a small hint of sherry, the alcohol aroma has subsided quite a bit. I then added a touch of water and let it sit another 5 to 10 minutes at this point the sherry and toffee aromas really are present the oak is still there but it has been tamed down. So after letting my glass sit out for roughly 20 minutes it has turned in to a really nice drink. Patients is worth it and well rewarding.
@terroriticus I believe Glenfiddich has changed their labels in the last few years. For some reason, the words Solera Reserve were quite prominently placed below the Glenfiddich name on the old labels but on the new ones there is merely the age statement. If you have a magnifying glass, you can read the little print below which mentions the solera method
been drinkin this over the last few days and from memory it seems better than when I had it about 5 years ago, and still good value (32 quid on offer a real bargain)
Hi ralfy keep up your good reviews. i realy enjoy it and you make me a wisky enthousiast. glenfiddich 15 yo is an very good wisky i drink it richt now :) greets from Holland
Kia Ora from NZ Ralphy...your reviews are a real hoot as we say 'down under' :-) I'm having a 40th in August. Am undecided and confused whether to buy the 18yr Glenfidich or Masters Batch 15yr...Please help mate!
@ralfystuff We went with the Dalwhinnie after and neither of us were dissappointed. It was a lovely scotch. We're going to try the Glenfiddich next time I believe. Thanks for the reply keep the reviews coming!!
i have to agree with you ralfy (new subscriber). Ive tried so many johny walkers and Mccleand Scotch; this has to be by far the best (for my palette). The notes are amazing, sweet, brown sugar aroma, a hint of sweet figs and the finish is a spicy vanilla and ends with a sweet "ting". For $31USD great deal and taste!
Very different in character. I think the Solera Reserve has more of a sherry character with a nice easy drinking creamy texture. The 15 yo Distillery Edition has more vanilla and pepper.
@ralfystuff Thanks for the reply. After looking on the supermarket shelves, I went for a Glenfiddich 12 year old 35cl to try. I have tried following your method of nosing and tasting but to be honest all I can smell is alcohol. I can taste the oak but nothing else really.... I'm not getting any fruity notes such as pears etc. Maybe I just don't have the palette for it. The only drink I can taste the different elements in is beer.
My 15YO Glenfiddich solera bottle has improved drastically over a 6-month period after I opened it, ...looks like oxygen does wonders for this one Ralfy!
@shuboy05 I have two bottles of this and do not plan to open them. Snow Phoenix is called limited, how ever, if you email Glenfiddich and ask about the production number, they will tell you 60,000. So I wouldn't call that rare as everyone online calls it.. Canada is doing a Cask of Dreams this year
@ralfystuff missed that part....makes total sense now. I am struggling with this one. It is my first Speysider. It is much lighter than I was anticipating, the flavors seem to be more subtle than in a Highlander. I am enjoying it with a nice dark chocolate from Lindt. yum
My experience with this whisky was that it was too busy with the wood, as it was all I could taste! The vile taste was present even when I tried blending it with soda and it was a real chore to finish. Maybe I had a bad bottle, I don't know. Just my impression. Goes to show that bad performances can happen no matter how well known the performer (as it were)
Homeopaths would love this whisky. Eventually the concentration of older whisky in the vat would become so minute that it's influence would be overwhelming.
I had just tried the 18 year old. I must say, it is not bad. The 15 is still a better whiskey. But the what the 18 year old has, but the 15 does not is, the 18 year old is 43 percent, it has more sherry than the 15, the 18 is smoother than the 15. But taste wise and budget wise, the 15 is the one to go.
I have to say that I don't know much as you Ralfy , but I try all Glenfiddich 12 , 15 ,18. I like them all. Is no reason to spend extra money for blend when you can get a delicious single malt like this one
That being the case, may I recommend you try the Balvenie 14 y.o. Caribbean Cask? Beautifully sweet and spicy - loads of cinnamon, honeyed toffee, vanilla and a nice bit of something raisiny in that ultra-long finish - would seem to be up your street. Might be slightly more money (it's £40-45 a bottle, your other ones are probably more like £35?) - maybe when you are feeling flush or someone wants to get you a present.
@shotokun16 Toffee and a hint of brittle taste too. Also, you get a a suddle smell of oakey taste. The mix is unbelievable. Since my pallette gives this 93/100 what would you recommend after this one ralfy (at a $35-40 range) (UPDATE_ "91 PTS BEVERAGE TESTING INSTITUTE. Smoke, light tar/peat and golden raisin aromas. Soft, rounded texture; quite smooth, with a very refined, polished palate; has a nearly buttery" What the scotch enthusiasts would say.
hello Ralfy, first of all i'd like to thank you for your enourmos efforts for informing beginners like myself in whisk(e)y matters. i've just taken my first step in single malts with glenfiddich 15 y.o. and i found it extremely pleasant (sipping 4cl for about 30 minutes) i've found it even better, smoother than J.W. gold label and also better than a lot of blends that i've tasted so far. my question would be that could you direct me to some other, similarly smooth single malts?
Went into a whisky shop in Scotland today and there was a TV crew in there filming, so we had to wait for them to stop. Then a tourist - newcomer to whisky - bought a Glenfiddich 15 after much perusal. After he'd paid for it and as he's walking out the door, the two television snobs said "Pfff Glenfiddich I don't know why people drink the stuff" / "Yes I know". How would that make the newcomer to whisky feel, possibly tainting his opinion of his (first?) dram?
@gyepmester5555 also, i would appreciate if the suggested ones were widely avaliable ones, since the stock available here in Hungary is quite limited. thank you again!
@ralfystuff One of my favorite bourbons is called Beam's Choice. Terrible for mixed drinks but a GREAT sipping whiskey. If you're interested, let me know and we'll see if I can figure out a way to send you a bottle. How hard is it for you to get Kentucky straight bourbons from the US?
This was one of the fist videos I saw of yours a few years back... also probably my second or 3rd Scotch. I am coming back to this out of a .50ml bottle and giving it a go! Have you had this more recently sir? Are you still enjoying this one on occasion? I'm finding it still is a rather decent one... unlike some of the other malts I enjoy. I am still afraid to buy a modern Laphroaig quarter cask!
I just bought a bottle of this at my local liquor store . I asked the seller for a 1 litre bottle, and he said it comes only in 70 cl. bottles. Do you know if this is available in 1 litre bottles, or was he just trying to sell me what he had in stock?
@ralfystuff It looks like the marketing department decided to emphasize the Age Statement over the name with the new Glenfiddich labels. Sure Solera Reserve, Ancient Reserve, and Gran Reserva are still on the label but those words are now less prominent.
Hi Ralfy! Speaking of the "climbing the malt ladder", being a newcomer to single malts, should I start with the very young malts meaning 5,8 and 10-12 year olds versus 15 years old on up? I have no idea which ones I like, meaning smokey, peaty, salty, etc. so I am a clean slate when it comes to starting out and I don't have any pre-concieved ideas about what something should taste like.
ralfy, i'm relatively young and don't have a lot of money or experience with which to shop for scotch whisky. i was going to purchase a balvenie doublewood but after this review i'm thinking i should change it to this! both are around the same price and seem to be good for beginners. which would you recommend? this glenfiddich 15 or the balvenie doublewood 12 year old? thanks for a great review, as always!
You mention the 18 year old Ancient Reserve as not being notable enough to review, but have you tried the 18 year old Small Batch Reserve? I'd be interested in what you think of it.
@PopUpPirate1975 and then after the purchaser had left the shop the first one said "Actually, and please don't repeat this, the 15 solera is actually a very good dram". "Yes it is, but I would never admit it in public!" Unbelievable snobbishness and just shows how much misinformation and prejudice is out there, from two so-called experts! FTR I think Solera 15 is a GREAT dram!!
I really love your videos. I am not a whisky drinker and the only whisky type drink I've had is Jack Daniels which I truly hated. I was thinking about getting the Glenfiddich miniature collection set to taste some of the better whiskys. Is this a good thing to do or can you be kind enough to suggest me some good whiskys that are a easy to drink for a newbie?
+ralfystuff im looking at buying a whiskey from each of the four regions just to explore the different flavours. what do you think of the McClelland's range ? they have a 12yo from each region. at $50 a bottle are they worth buying ? thanks
There are more than 4 regions for whisky in fact there are 6: Lowlands, Campbeltown, Islay, Islands, Highlands and Speyside in Scotland. Then there are some very fine whiskies from elsewhere Ireland and Japan for starters (I know of distilleries in Wales and England too though I've yet to try their whisky so I can't vouch for it). What you choose to get is really up to you but I wouldn't limit myself arbitrarily to a single age statement of whisky.
Ralfy: had an interesting go round with a bottle of this I just recently bought in duty free. A 1 litre bottle at 43%, the first dram I poured from the bottle came out swinging! Having had it before a few times I don't remember it being being so punchy and intensely fragrant (in a good way!). It almost seems fizzy - not much like the more docile 15yo Gf''s I've tried before. Do you think it previously got roughed up on the shelf or something?
Just picked up a bottle of this today as my first single malt. Very pleased with my purchase. Just the aromas alone were fantastic. Thank you very much for this review as it was what made me decide to give it a try!
I love the discarding of the Distillery review..."blah, blah, blah....the rest I will make up my own mind"....I concur!
Bought a bottle of this, as my local shop finally started stocking Glenfiddich. Absolutely mysterious scotch with a great spice to it. My friend made a comment that it tasted like Captain Morgan's, and I rightly slapped him and took his glass! lol
Thoroughly enjoyed this bottle.
Exceptional whisky, full of flavour and depth, very enjoyable. Cheers!
I just wanted to comment that I recently opened a bottle of this and am just blown away! Smooth. Complex. Woody. Perfect. I'm not sure if its getting better, or it's my taste. This is one of the best scotches I've had ... at this point.
Thank you for your recommendation. For only 40% it just keeps giving and giving, changing and changing. Wow! :0)
I love the newer reviews when you take your time and talk about everything. I was searching about select cask and what is a VAT system is and I landed here. 😄
I just started my whisky adventures, and before I did, I found your videos. They have been INCREDIBLY helpful and educational. I bought a bottle of this today (here in Texas, USA), and it was excellent. Loved the spice, oak, and warm feeling of it. Great lasting flavor, and the nose was so wild.
You have made a subscriber out of me. Well done sir you are not only a fine connoisseur but a wise man.
Ah Ralfy. Quality as always. I had the pleasure of watching this review with both a glass of 15 YO and 12 YO. I'm enjoying the 15 YO so much more. I've decided it is the red wine to the 12 YO's white wine.
Which I am implying is a good thing BTW...
Great review, great Whiskey. Seriously...I bought this one 2 years ago, and today it still tastes the same way. This Whiskey is smooth.
I got some 15 year glenfiddich last weekend friend and I had to go half and half on it. Totally worth it, a fine single malt. The vanilla fragrance and flavor along with initial taste of pepper which starts off strong but as your palate adjusts it becomes just as smooth as the vanilla. A very unique and enjoyable flavor, saving up for an 18 year now.
Thanks ralfy.
your review makes the 15yo finding his way on my birthday list and finally to my tongue ! Great stuff
Well, I just tried this whisky based on your review and once again, you are SOOOOOOOOOOO RIGHT! This is now a favorite of mine as I climb up the malt ladder, as you so wisely say.
Any chance of a re-review of this gem, Ralfy, please?
. . . I will look into it !
Just bought a bottle of it recently after trying the 12 and 14, I wonder if it has changed during the years?
Wouldn't go so far as to call it a 'gem' but it's passable stuff. These were the days when Ralfy was generous with his marks....
I like your hint about the 18 year old lol. You have the BEST reviews!! Take care :)
I just got done with a bottle of The Glenlivet 15 year. Today I got a bottle of Glenfiddich 15 year for tonight in front of a fire. I'm so excited to try it.
I'm waiting for a non-sanitized bottling of a solera rum or even this Glenfiddich 15. There's so much potential.
thank you for sharing your knowledge. i always look up your reviews of all the scotches i buy. you've not lead me astray yet. cheers!
Glenfiddich is one of my favorite whiskies since it brings me a very accurate and mellow taste which I can rarely meet in other whiskies. Thank you sir for a splendid and interesting review, it's always a pleasure listening to you. Keep up good work. Russia watches you.
I am very happy with this fine bottle and at a very good price thanks ralfy !
@ralfystuff I see. Thanks so much for getting back to me, and thank you for being such a fantastic reviewer!
All the best :)
Hey Ralfy, Would be great to see a Re-review of this Scotch if at all possible please :D.
Got a bottle of Glenfiddich 15 for my b-day and I fell in love with it. The problem is that my second attempt at malt whisky was Laphroaig 10... It was a shock...
Veselin Petkov that’s not just a shock. That’s a shock with a salty brick!
Ralfy. Hows all?!
Things couldn't be much better as I just received a Glenfiddich 15yo Distillers Ed.@ a delightful full flavored 51%AbV. Hats off to the folks @ G'fiddich. As an official bottling, a non-chill filtered 15er w/102°proof can only bring more folks to the brand, especially w/a $61USD price tag. This 15yo is everything you've said it is but with a welcome...well, quasi-craft presentation (appears a wee e150a-ish to me) An overall 'taste of the titans'!
cheers Ralfy.
This is a very nice whiskey , my friends and parents loved it. Drunk my whole bottle. Im definately replacing it. Its awsome how Glenf 15 appeals to a lot of people. My mother was very surprised when i gave her a glass. I dont think she will be going back to Cutty Shark 3yr old
One of my all time favorite whiskeys, I will have to try it with a little bit of water.. Thanks for the review and the history..
Welcome home mate!
Man-On-the-Street Review!
Here I am engaged in a G15yo SR. STILL a wonderful dram Ralfy.
MOS gives it a "go out and grab one today"
Peace
Dear Ralfy,
First of all thank you so much for the nice reviews.
i can't find your review of the Glenfiddich 18yo. its one bootle i couldn't get along with it.
thanks.
. . . neither could I, so no review done on the Glen'F18
@OD533 In my opinion yes! More spicy, more oak, rounder, full bodied, more komplex! The 15yo is an exellent coice to, good value! But the 18yo is really worth a try!!!
How fascinating this is.
My father loved the Glenfiddich.
Well Ralfy, while you were being a gracious host and replying I was out "going for it"! I stopped at the local liquor store and purchased a 750ml Johnnie Walker Black Label on special, a 50ml Glenlivet 12 y.o. and hopefully (fingers crossed) a Glenmorangie sample pack. It has (4) 100ml bottles of 10 y.o Original, 12 y.o. Lasanta, 12 y.o. Quinta Ruban and 12 y.o. Nectar D'or. Tomorrow after work, I get to work!! LOL!! Thanks Ralf!
Love your reviews. I agree...love the 18 year. Love the 15 year more. But I stick with the 12 year because I am not rich. Tell me...what is YOUR favorite scotch? If you needed to pick just one. I want to try something new. Thanks for the work you do. Even makes me want to drink tea.
Just bought this bottle after viewing your review. Amazing.
Thanks for posting Ralfy.
you have no idea how badly i wanted the last of the whisky that was left at the end of the video.
I just got a bottle of this from my local LCBO here in Southern Ontario Canada for the price of eighty dollars. I have not tried it yet since it is for occasions so it will be a short while before I crack it open. I did not receive a little booklet/pamphlet in my bottle like you did.
Now that I have tried this twice first neat and a few days later with a touch of water, maybe half a teaspoon of water to a nice two finger pour.
At first it is quite oakey and a bit stringent with a strong alcohol smell. Ten minutes after it has sat the toffee notes come through with a small hint of sherry, the alcohol aroma has subsided quite a bit. I then added a touch of water and let it sit another 5 to 10 minutes at this point the sherry and toffee aromas really are present the oak is still there but it has been tamed down. So after letting my glass sit out for roughly 20 minutes it has turned in to a really nice drink. Patients is worth it and well rewarding.
@terroriticus
I believe Glenfiddich has changed their labels in the last few years. For some reason, the words Solera Reserve were quite prominently placed below the Glenfiddich name on the old labels but on the new ones there is merely the age statement. If you have a magnifying glass, you can read the little print below which mentions the solera method
been drinkin this over the last few days and from memory it seems better than when I had it about 5 years ago, and still good value (32 quid on offer a real bargain)
Hi ralfy keep up your good reviews. i realy enjoy it and you make me a wisky enthousiast. glenfiddich 15 yo is an very good wisky i drink it richt now :) greets from Holland
Kia Ora from NZ Ralphy...your reviews are a real hoot as we say 'down under' :-) I'm having a 40th in August. Am undecided and confused whether to buy the 18yr Glenfidich or Masters Batch 15yr...Please help mate!
Wow i asked you to review this like, barely a week ago and you've already done! Good show man!
@ralfystuff We went with the Dalwhinnie after and neither of us were dissappointed. It was a lovely scotch. We're going to try the Glenfiddich next time I believe. Thanks for the reply keep the reviews coming!!
i have to agree with you ralfy (new subscriber). Ive tried so many johny walkers and Mccleand Scotch; this has to be by far the best (for my palette). The notes are amazing, sweet, brown sugar aroma, a hint of sweet figs and the finish is a spicy vanilla and ends with a sweet "ting". For $31USD great deal and taste!
You certainly are a wealth of knowledge!
Very different in character. I think the Solera Reserve has more of a sherry character with a nice easy drinking creamy texture. The 15 yo Distillery Edition has more vanilla and pepper.
This is probably the best value 15 yo malt I have tried.
@ralfystuff Thanks for the reply. After looking on the supermarket shelves, I went for a Glenfiddich 12 year old 35cl to try. I have tried following your method of nosing and tasting but to be honest all I can smell is alcohol. I can taste the oak but nothing else really.... I'm not getting any fruity notes such as pears etc.
Maybe I just don't have the palette for it. The only drink I can taste the different elements in is beer.
Great review Ralfy..as always!
I like both the 12 yr and 15 yr glenfiddich. But I really like the new 14 yr rich oak, very nice indeed full of flavour and smooth to drink.
Trying this one for the first time right now!
You are an incredible reviewer! I would love to see a 18/21yr old review :)
Wild turkey rare breed follows the same idea but mixes 6, 8 and 12 year aged stocks instead, makes for an interesting drink.
I think I shall have to give this a try!
aww I just opened my 15 year and I didn't get a booklet =( It still tastes great though! I prefer this to the 12 year without a doubt.
Just found your channel Derek had your vid on his channel page.Great review I will subscribe.Thank you.
@DarkheartTheHeritic Chill out, young grasshopper. I didn't develop a taste for Scotch until I hit 40, so you have PLENTY of time.
Honest as always, I am now persuaded to purchase a bottle or three. Thanks to the Man from Manx himself I must confess.
Glenfiddich is good,i drink that couple weeks ago,it was 12 years old if i remember right.
My 15YO Glenfiddich solera bottle has improved drastically over a 6-month period after I opened it, ...looks like oxygen does wonders for this one Ralfy!
+TheOneGlassMan My bottles never last that long lol
Just got a bottle today. Oh my it is wonderful.
@shuboy05 I have two bottles of this and do not plan to open them. Snow Phoenix is called limited, how ever, if you email Glenfiddich and ask about the production number, they will tell you 60,000. So I wouldn't call that rare as everyone online calls it.. Canada is doing a Cask of Dreams this year
@ralfystuff
Thanks for the clarification on the glass reflection. In the minute 8:11 looks like sugar but its water. Thanks
Hi ralfy,
i'm a fan from holland. good job
@ralfystuff missed that part....makes total sense now. I am struggling with this one. It is my first Speysider. It is much lighter than I was anticipating, the flavors seem to be more subtle than in a Highlander.
I am enjoying it with a nice dark chocolate from Lindt. yum
Your reviews are great! Since some time has passed, I really want to see what you think of the 18 yo Small Batch Reserve that Glenfiddich makes.
My experience with this whisky was that it was too busy with the wood, as it was all I could taste! The vile taste was present even when I tried blending it with soda and it was a real chore to finish. Maybe I had a bad bottle, I don't know. Just my impression. Goes to show that bad performances can happen no matter how well known the performer (as it were)
Homeopaths would love this whisky. Eventually the concentration of older whisky in the vat would become so minute that it's influence would be overwhelming.
It's got to be more than 88/100 in 2018.... But... great review...as always!
I had just tried the 18 year old. I must say, it is not bad. The 15 is still a better whiskey. But the what the 18 year old has, but the 15 does not is, the 18 year old is 43 percent, it has more sherry than the 15, the 18 is smoother than the 15. But taste wise and budget wise, the 15 is the one to go.
I have to say that I don't know much as you Ralfy , but I try all Glenfiddich 12 , 15 ,18. I like them all. Is no reason to spend extra money for blend when
you can get a delicious single malt like this one
Glenfiddich Solera 15 and Dalwhinnie 15yr have become my "goto" single malts
That being the case, may I recommend you try the Balvenie 14 y.o. Caribbean Cask? Beautifully sweet and spicy - loads of cinnamon, honeyed toffee, vanilla and a nice bit of something raisiny in that ultra-long finish - would seem to be up your street. Might be slightly more money (it's £40-45 a bottle, your other ones are probably more like £35?) - maybe when you are feeling flush or someone wants to get you a present.
William Hesson
Thanks for the recommend William, in fact the 14yo Caribbean Cask is already in my collection :).
@shotokun16
Toffee and a hint of brittle taste too. Also, you get a a suddle smell of oakey taste. The mix is unbelievable. Since my pallette gives this 93/100 what would you recommend after this one ralfy (at a $35-40 range) (UPDATE_
"91 PTS BEVERAGE TESTING INSTITUTE. Smoke, light tar/peat and golden raisin aromas. Soft, rounded texture; quite smooth, with a very refined, polished palate; has a nearly buttery" What the scotch enthusiasts would say.
hello Ralfy,
first of all i'd like to thank you for your enourmos efforts for informing beginners like myself in whisk(e)y matters. i've just taken my first step in single malts with glenfiddich 15 y.o. and i found it extremely pleasant (sipping 4cl for about 30 minutes) i've found it even better, smoother than J.W. gold label and also better than a lot of blends that i've tasted so far. my question would be that could you direct me to some other, similarly smooth single malts?
Ahh, back when it was GOOD! It tastes like fabric softener now.
@ralfystuff Thanks Ralfy, it was the Dufftown I saw on offer, I will give it a go.
@Gazeroni I heard once you open a bottle it doesn't get any better. It only gets worse.
Went into a whisky shop in Scotland today and there was a TV crew in there filming, so we had to wait for them to stop. Then a tourist - newcomer to whisky - bought a Glenfiddich 15 after much perusal. After he'd paid for it and as he's walking out the door, the two television snobs said "Pfff Glenfiddich I don't know why people drink the stuff" / "Yes I know". How would that make the newcomer to whisky feel, possibly tainting his opinion of his (first?) dram?
I'm a beginner whiskey drinker and i found this bottle a little to strong for my liking. Think I may go and try the 12 year old instead :)
15yo is a great SMW, One of my Favs!
Such a tease at the end, I must know at least a cursory thought about the Glenfiddich 18
@gyepmester5555
also, i would appreciate if the suggested ones were widely avaliable ones, since the stock available here in Hungary is quite limited.
thank you again!
@ralfystuff One of my favorite bourbons is called Beam's Choice. Terrible for mixed drinks but a GREAT sipping whiskey. If you're interested, let me know and we'll see if I can figure out a way to send you a bottle. How hard is it for you to get Kentucky straight bourbons from the US?
hi from germany. ;-) great work on this video. thanks or that
This was one of the fist videos I saw of yours a few years back... also probably my second or 3rd Scotch. I am coming back to this out of a .50ml bottle and giving it a go! Have you had this more recently sir? Are you still enjoying this one on occasion? I'm finding it still is a rather decent one... unlike some of the other malts I enjoy. I am still afraid to buy a modern Laphroaig quarter cask!
This has a very high note of sherry to it intense rally what are the sweetest whiskeys?
Ralfy, great review.
what is the difference between the normal 12 and the 12 year old "special reserve"?
Any chance of revisiting this one ralfy? To see if it is indeed better as time goes on being a solera and all?
I just bought a bottle of this at my local liquor store . I asked the seller for a 1 litre bottle, and he said it comes only in 70 cl. bottles. Do you know if this is available in 1 litre bottles, or was he just trying to sell me what he had in stock?
Hagop Karakashian It is available as 1 liter. I got one as a present :)
1L bottles are usually for the travel market. I think the 70cl ones are for domestic retail.
@ralfystuff
It looks like the marketing department decided to emphasize the Age Statement over the name with the new Glenfiddich labels. Sure Solera Reserve, Ancient Reserve, and Gran Reserva are still on the label but those words are now less prominent.
Hi Ralfy! Speaking of the "climbing the malt ladder", being a newcomer to single malts, should I start with the very young malts meaning 5,8 and 10-12 year olds versus 15 years old on up? I have no idea which ones I like, meaning smokey, peaty, salty, etc. so I am a clean slate when it comes to starting out and I don't have any pre-concieved ideas about what something should taste like.
ralfy, i'm relatively young and don't have a lot of money or experience with which to shop for scotch whisky. i was going to purchase a balvenie doublewood but after this review i'm thinking i should change it to this! both are around the same price and seem to be good for beginners.
which would you recommend? this glenfiddich 15 or the balvenie doublewood 12 year old?
thanks for a great review, as always!
You mention the 18 year old Ancient Reserve as not being notable enough to review, but have you tried the 18 year old Small Batch Reserve? I'd be interested in what you think of it.
@UnclePutte never hurts to go back...(but go to the 15 year)
@PopUpPirate1975 and then after the purchaser had left the shop the first one said "Actually, and please don't repeat this, the 15 solera is actually a very good dram". "Yes it is, but I would never admit it in public!"
Unbelievable snobbishness and just shows how much misinformation and prejudice is out there, from two so-called experts!
FTR I think Solera 15 is a GREAT dram!!
I really love your videos. I am not a whisky drinker and the only whisky type drink I've had is Jack Daniels which I truly hated. I was thinking about getting the Glenfiddich miniature collection set to taste some of the better whiskys. Is this a good thing to do or can you be kind enough to suggest me some good whiskys that are a easy to drink for a newbie?
+ralfystuff im looking at buying a whiskey from each of the four regions just to explore the different flavours. what do you think of the McClelland's range ? they have a 12yo from each region. at $50 a bottle are they worth buying ? thanks
There are more than 4 regions for whisky in fact there are 6: Lowlands, Campbeltown, Islay, Islands, Highlands and Speyside in Scotland. Then there are some very fine whiskies from elsewhere Ireland and Japan for starters (I know of distilleries in Wales and England too though I've yet to try their whisky so I can't vouch for it). What you choose to get is really up to you but I wouldn't limit myself arbitrarily to a single age statement of whisky.
Ralfy: had an interesting go round with a bottle of this I just recently bought in duty free. A 1 litre bottle at 43%, the first dram I poured from the bottle came out swinging! Having had it before a few times I don't remember it being being so punchy and intensely fragrant (in a good way!). It almost seems fizzy - not much like the more docile 15yo Gf''s I've tried before. Do you think it previously got roughed up on the shelf or something?
Hi Ralfy. Have you reviewed or planning to review the Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix?
Ralfy, have you tried the 15 yo Distillery Edition yet? A Glenfiddich bottled at 51% - I'm in!