Glenfiddich Excellence 26 Year Old is matured exclusively in American oak bourbon casks for a minimum of 26 years.
Said to be available in prestige whisky retail outlets and premium establishments, Excellence (70cl, 43% abv), has a recommended retail price of £350.
Packaged in an "elegant" glass bottle with gold lettering, Glenfiddich Excellence 26 YO is finished with an oak stopper "reminiscent of the bourbon casks in which it matures". The bottle is housed in a purple presentation box, with an embossed design inspired by the patterns made by wood cuts.
The taste is described as: “Vibrant with a compelling balance of dry tannin and soft brown sugar vanilla sweetness. A deep oak flavour gradually builds, with hints of spice and liquorice shining through. Finish: Deep and complex.”
Previously used to mature American whiskies and specially imported to the Dufftown distillery, the oak casks are said to impart a distinct flavour. Glenfiddich Excellence 26 Year Old is the first single malt from the Speyside distiller to use bourbon casks throughout the entire maturation process.
Glenfiddich malt master Brian Kinsman said: “By maturing this expression exclusively in bourbon casks we’ve created a beautifully intense flavour, reflective of the relentless passion we have for producing incredible single malts. With notes of lush vanilla, light oak and spice our 26 Year Old, while a new expression, remains true to Glenfiddich’s heritage of producing fruity, floral and deeply flavoured whiskies.”
Peter Gordon, Glenfiddich director added: “As a family run company, we’ve always challenged established whisky-making norms because we care about the quality of our single malts.”
