Tasting Notes
Color: Golden straw
Nose: Big notes of sherry right out of the gate, with light apple, honey and caramel following behind
Palate: The fresh apple flavor for which Glenfiddich is known is strong here. Sweet malty notes dominate the midpalate, along with light honey and vanilla.
Finish: The sherry influence appears on the back of the tongue. The swallow is quite gentle, with a light alcoholic bite. The finish is long, with lovely malt and sherry notes sticking around, waiting for the glass to be refilled.
Our Review
Glenfiddich 12 is a phenomenally popular whisky whose quality matches its popularity. While not quite as complex or challenging as some of the older and more ambitious Glenfiddichs, it’s as satisfying and enjoyable an entry-level single malt as you’re going to find. It’s sweet and “easy” enough for beginning scotch drinkers, but it’s suitably flavorful and balanced for even the snobbiest whisky snob. It’s a great way to get back to basics for a dram or two.
While it’s best when drunk neat, Glenfiddich 12 holds up surprisingly well to water or ice, even if they’re not necessary. As for cocktails, it’s a little weak in a highball, but makes a fine scotch sour, and it’s a nice upgrade from blended scotch in a Penicillin.
Glenfiddich 12 isn’t exactly a thrilling adventure for the taste buds, but it’s not supposed to be. It’s more like the foundation on which a lifelong education in whisky can be built: a perfect starting point, and one that’s enjoyable to return to on a regular basis as well.
