Whisky Discovery #82

Glenfiddich 14 Year Old Rich Oak (40% abv)
Speyside Single Malt
Circa £35.00 70cl

Glenfiddich Rich Oak

The next stand visited at the Whisky Lounge London Festival was Glenfiddich. With their core bottlings on display, we made our way to the front and asked about the range.

I've already enjoyed a bottle of their 12 Year Old and still have a bottle of their 18 Year Old on my shelf, so didn't need to sample these this time. After explaining this we were told that we should start with the Rich Oak, and this was dram number eight of the afternoon

First released in Spring 2010, Glenfiddich Rich Oak is a completely unique single malt, delicately finished for up to 12 weeks in brand new American and new Spanish oak casks after being patiently matured for 14 years. The use of untouched Spanish oak casks is a first for the single malt Scotch whisky.

Alive with flavour, the new casks need precision handling by the Malt Master to deliver just the right amount of extra flavours; creamy vanilla, a soft toffee sweetness and spicy oak with layers of ripe summer fruit, creating a rich and complex single malt.

They say the American oak adds spice, vanilla and fruit, and the Spanish oak brings elegant fruit, spices and complexity.

Nose: Initially spicey oak notes and rich vibrant vanilla, hints of fresly sawn wood and dried fruits. With time softer toffee notes, pear and floral aromas apear.
Palate: Spicey at first, rich and creamy vanilla followed by zesty fruit a complex nuttiness and a spicy aromatic wood finish.
Finish: Long and lingering with warming oak notes

So What did I think?


What a great start to the four expressions we tried on the Glenfiddich stand. I really enjoyed my bottle of Glenfiddich 12 year old, but this is so much better all round.