Two perpetual Glenfiddich


March 14, 2024

WF's Little Duos, today two perpetual Glenfiddich

There's this rather recent series at Glenfiddich, the 'Perpetual Collection', with some bottles featuring age statements and others not. It appears to be a concept quite similar to the 'faux solera' systems (this isn't a value judgment), with unique 'VAT' numbers for each batch. Well, we only have two from this series on the tasting table, not exactly something to show off about...

("A great whisky doesn't encourage overconsumption". Magazine advert for Glenfiddich Pure Malt Scotch Whisky, France, 1982. I believe it is one of the earliest press ads with the general theme 'drink better, drink less'.)

Glenfiddich 'Perpetual Collection Vat 02 Rich & Dark' (43%, OB, 2022)

Colour: gold. Nose: typical muscovado-y nose, with also toffee apples, a box of English chocolates, the expected walnut cake and a whiff of lavender. Nice post-prandial nose (right, a little digestif). Mouth: I find this good, malty, with some caramel, cherry cake or clafoutis, cinnamon roll, coffee-toffee, then apple compote and perhaps even a drop of calva. Finish: medium, more on chocolate, candied cherry and black raisin. Some caramel in the aftertaste. Comments: it's nice, consistent, pleasant, beautifully malty; a whisky that no one would refuse when it comes to digestifs, not even your friends who are die-hard whisky enthusiasts – unless they know here you hide the Brora.
SGP:541 - 82 points.

Glenfiddich 15 yo 'Perpetual Collection Vat 03' (50.2%, OB, 2022)

Does it replace the 'Solera Vat No 3' from a few years back? There's new oak, bourbon and European oak sherry inside. Colour: gold. Nose: feels bourbony at first, with even a little putty and light varnish, as well as marzipan, before it would become all a matter of apples (and a few pears), something that I've always found epitomically Glenfiddichian. Fresh, stewed, a juice, as compote, even as jam, even as eau-de-vie (some varietals do work, others remain bland). With water: the largest bag of ripe and overripe apples ever, plus a little maraschino and marzipan. Mouth (neat): really sweet. Apple compote with some honey and a cinnamon/nutmeg spice combo. Feels a touch fizzy, like good cider. No problems. With water: water brings a soapiness onto the palate (saponification), a soapiness that takes its time before it would leave us alone. The good news is that after around ten minutes, we're left with more wonderful apples and rather notes of Turkish delights. Finish: long, on apples, marzipan and amaretti. And perhaps an ultra-tiny soapiness remaining in a corner (nope, haven't changed water). Pears in the aftertaste, which makes it even more Glenfiddichian. Comments: very good cuvée but be careful with water.
SGP:551 - 84 points.

Check the index of all Glenfiddich we've tasted so far