Glenfiddich’s Great Experiment

Glenfiddich’s Master Malter, Brian Kinsman, is constantly on the lookout for ingenious innovations in Scotch whisky and, as the person at the helm of the world’s most awarded single malt Scotch, he doesn’t experiment lightly. But experiment he does, the result of which is a special range of unique and rare whiskies that have Glenfiddich devotees and whisky lovers all over the world salivating at the prospect of each new release. A Winter Storm is coming. GLENFIDDICH’S EXPERIMENTAL RANGE

Landing on our fair shores as this edition of explore WHISKY goes to print is Winter Storm, the third instalment to the Glenfiddich Experimental Series. The limited-edition whisky has been finished in Canadian Icewine casks, resulting in a short, crisp premium whisky imbued with a unique layer of sweetness and complexity. The new expression joins Glenfiddich IPA Experiment, single malt Scotch whisky finished in india pale ale (IPA) and Glenfiddich Project XX (pronounced ‘twenty’), both launched in late 2016.

Glenfiddich’s Winter Storm comes as a result of Kinsman’s trip to Canada in January 2016, during which he visited Peller Estate - a renowned winery in Niagara. Enduring freezing weather, Brian toured the beautiful vineyards, where he learnt how the grapes had to be picked by moonlight at -10˚C when they were as hard as pebbles.

Inspired by his experience, Brian returned to The Glenfiddich Distillery in Dufftown, where he started experimenting with several French oak Icewine casks from the Canadian winery - filling them with various Glenfiddich aged malts for up to six months.

“Only the rarer whiskies, those aged for 21 years, could cope with the extra Icewine intensity. Having more tannins, extracted from the years in oak, these malts brought out a uniquely fresh lychee note instead of being swamped by sweetness,” said Kinsman.

The result is a perfect combination of both pioneering liquids, the heightened candied sweetness and oakiness of Glenfiddich is complemented by the mouth-watering tropical fruit notes and underlying wine notes derived from the Icewine.

There is an Australian connection here too. Craig McDonald, Peller Estates VP of Winemaking, is Australian and started his winemaking career in Mudgee.

“It was a privilege to work with Brian on this experiment. We go to extreme lengths to produce our intensely sweet Icewine, and are always looking for ways to push the boundaries of taste, so I was intrigued to see how it could be used to create a new unexpected whisky. The resulting liquid is a unique combination of the warming soul of whisky and the frozen cold character of Icewine,” said McDonald.

The Glenfiddich Experimental Series inspires unusual and unexpected variants, and combines the brand’s passion for pushing Scotch whisky boundaries with its interest in collaborating with trailblazers beyond the world of whisky. The first expression, Glenfiddich IPA Experiment, has been crafted to blend the flavours of Scotch and hops. The whisky has been finished in oak casks that previously held a Speyside IPA, resulting in a vibrant Scotch whisky imbued with zesty citrus flavours and notes of soft, sweet vanilla and subtle fresh hops.

The second addition to the series, Glenfiddich Project XX, is one of Glenfiddich’s most unique whiskies. Going against normal whisky making conventions, Brian invited 20 whisky experts from 16 countries around the world to channel their knowledge and develop a progressive whisky. Blended in a variety of different casks, the result is a refined and balanced flavour, with candy floss sweetness and a rich vanilla oakiness. It embodies the warm, fruity character of a classic Glenfiddich whisky, with hints of apple blossom, summer fruits and ripe pear. It is best enjoyed with a frozen grape in a chilled glass.

You’ll find Glenfiddich Winter Storm in stores Australia-wide priced at RRP $350. It comes in a striking white ceramic bottle and an embossed presentation box.

A limited edition - when it’s gone, it’s gone.