Glenfiddich VINTAGE CASK

Nose: Surprisingly coastal; BBQ’d prawns and smoked scallops. Then salted limes, heather honey, sweet compost and faint cigar. There’s a herbal note too – maybe rosemary or coriander. Then smouldering flowers (!), Turkish Delight and a forest floor. There’s loads here! Palate: Initially there’s some crème brûlée, keylime pie and spun sugar. Then the bonfire smoke comes through alongside oyster shells, crispy seaweed, some coal dust, a peat hearth and toasted teacakes. Complex, to say the least. Finish: Mahogany, tea chest and a hint of dark chocolate.

Overall: Bloody hell. Three absolutely cracking whiskies. The fresh and vibrant Select Cask is very moreish and would sit well as an aperitif whisky. The Reserve Cask tends more towards the robustly fruity side of things and is extremely well balanced. However, the Vintage Cask was everything I wished for and more. It’s very complex and the smokiness brings out a side to Glenfiddich that I’ve not seen before. Everything’s there – the sweetness, the fruitiness and the smokiness combine together to produce an excellent whisky. One of the most interesting drams I’ve tried this year.