WF’s Little Duos, today Glenfiddich again, 16 vs 30


August 28, 2025

WF’s Little Duos, today
Glenfiddich again, 16 vs 30

Right, after Bowmore, Aston Martin has chosen Glenfiddich as a co-branding partner. We’ve already talked about that, but we hadn’t actually tasted anything yet. Here’s our chance, especially since we also wanted to revisit the old 30-Year-Old which, when it was released twenty years ago, left us feeling a little underwhelmed. It must be said that the 40% ABV really didn’t help…

Glenfiddich 16 yo ‘Aston Martin’ (43%, OB, American oak, 2025)

Apparently, this one’s the result of a tie-in with the Aston Martin Formula 1 team. Colour: deep gold. Nose: very nice, very civilised, rather on vanilla fudge and praline, apple tart, multifloral honey… It’s genuinely lovely and gentle, a bit like Aston’s position in the standings (Alonso 11th, Stroll 12th). Mouth: I find this really good, a little richer than your usual ‘fiddichs, which we do like, more malty on the palate, more on honey-baked quince, mirabelle tart, maple syrup… Finish: not so short, more on honey again but also more on cakes, scones, muffins and all that jazz. This is really good. Comments: to be honest, we do poke fun at these unlikely marketing tie-ins, but I must admit I rather like this little 16-year-old that’s got a fair bit of depth, even if we’re not quite dealing with a naturally aspirated V12 here.
SGP:551 - 85 point.

Glenfiddich 30 yo ‘XXX’ (40%, OB, +/-2005)

I’m rereading my notes from 17 October 2005, where I wrote ‘I hope we’ll see a 45 or 46% version on the market one day!’ I fear that never came to pass, but let’s taste this baby, from a different bottle of course, and most likely for the last time. Colour: deep gold. Nose: I reckon after twenty years in bottle, it’s become more aromatic, certainly more on bergamots and beeswax, honeysuckle and orange blossom, almost like fresh panettone from a good bakery. Needless to say, the panettones that turn up in our French hypermarkets aren’t exactly of the highest order. Mouth: blimey, what progress! A perfect OBE, leading straight to all things hive-like, honeys, but also a surprising salty edge, light broths, a faint Thai side (Thai basil, coriander, coconut, mild chilli) and the subtlest marmalades. What a surprise, truly. Finish: not even that short, very pretty, this time waxy and on blond tobacco… A touch of liquorice and Jamaican rum (yes) on the aftertaste. Comments: I’m absolutely floored, I wasn’t expecting this, I just wanted a little sparring partner for the 16 yo AM. Well then!
SGP:561 - 90 points.

Check the index of all Glenfiddich we've tasted