Review #119 - Glenfiddich 12 Year
12 Year Speysider Series: Part 5 of 7
The best-selling single malt Scotch whisky in the world, at least as far as we can find - both the bottle specifically (the 12 Year), as well as the brand in general (Glenfiddich). This was one we couldn't avoid putting in the series - it's everywhere, and we pretty much always have a bottle hanging around our shelf.
One of the reasons this one is so popular is its entry level stats: on top of the 40% ABV strength, it's also one of the more budget friendly single malt options - we've seen it in the $42 to $48 range in the last year. It's almost definitely chill filtered and artificially colored, and the casks aren't too fancy - ex-bourbon is the predominant flavor, so we're looking for baking spice and lighter fruits.
Glenfiddich 12 Year
Scotland/Speyside - Single Malt
Price Paid: USD 42 (2022)
Current Locally Available Price: USD 50 (2023)
Age Statement: 12 Years
Strength: 40% ABV
Tasting Methodology: Reviewed 4 times over 5 months; bottles at 40%, 10%, 80% (blind tasting), and 70% fill levels at times of review. Tasted in a Glencairn glass each time, rested 10-15 minutes
Nose: Orchard fruits aplenty - pears, ripe green apple, red apples, golden apples, canned peaches as well. There's sweetness from vanilla and cinnamon, and we get quite a strong malty note at times; it's buttery and gives us wildflower honey, too. There's a soft side of creamy melon and perfume, before mild oak and nutmeg finish the nosing experience.
Palate: Light and crisp, with a thin mouthfeel - slightly watery. That said, it does give us plenty of light fruit flavors, similar to the nose - sweet apples, pears, savory orange, almost an apple pie at times. There's powdered sugar and vanilla backing up the baking side, along with nutmeg, brown sugar, and cardamom. There's mild dry oak, but it's more muted than the nose overall.
Finish: Medium-short with buttery malt, drier oak, and some dry vanilla bean pods. It's a little less sweet now, with some wood sugars and dry cinnamon as well, but there are still some nice apple juice, pear, and clove notes.
Final Note: This is a classic entry level Speyside whisky - there's a reason it might be the best selling single malt bottle in the world. Classic (if slightly boring, sometimes) ex-bourbon cask flavors and no smoke, so it's approachable and easy on the palate. The 40% ABV does make this easier to try when you're new to spirits, but later in your journey, it might become a bit weak; we're at that point, although we can appreciate it for what it is. The whisky is fine, and the price is usually pretty good... although it has crept up in our area in the last year.
Our Average Rating: 5.7 / 10
In the current whisky landscape of increasing prices and variable quality, we've added a value rating to our reviews that relates to the score and the available pricing of each whisky. This roughly equates to a 0-10 scale; no reviews so far have exceeded a score of 10, although it is technically possible for the formula to produce a value rating higher than 10 with a high enough score and low enough price.
Value Rating: 6.43
Check out some of our other Glenfiddich reviews:
