Last Updated on March 12, 2024 by Lydia Martin
Today, I’m here to share my firsthand experience with one of the finest spirits to grace our glasses best Glenfiddich whisky.
Since Glenfiddich is known for unique and sophisticated whiskies, let us share with you the top Glenfiddich bottles you need to try now.
Table of Contents
ToggleTop 15 Glenfiddich Whisky Bottles You Need To Try
15. Glenfiddich Grand Couronne – 26 Yr
Average Price: approx. $728/750ml
Alcohol Content: 43.8% ABV
Tasting Notes:
- Palate: Creamy with brown sugar and spice
- Nose: toasty oak and French pastry
- Color: Antique gold
- Finish: Long and complex finish
Is It Worth It?:
For its Grande Couronne single malt, Glenfiddich looked to France for inspiration. This was originally matured in European oak casks and American oak barrels.
Then, it is transferred to ex-Cognac French oak for two years. So, the extended finish adds a touch of sophistication and a luxurious taste.
14. Glenfiddich 50-Year-Old Single Malt Whisky
Average Price: approx. $50,000/750ml
Alcohol Content: 46.1% ABV
Tasting Notes:
- Palate: orange, caramel, herbs, and soft fruits
- Nose: Floral, green tobacco, oak, smoke
- Color: Pale gold
- Finish: Deep and lingering finish
Is It Worth It?:
No questions asked. This spirit is a limited edition, which takes 50 years to craft. Among the rare whiskies we’ve tried, this is a must-try.
The taste is sweet and deep, with a long-lasting finish. The packaging and whisky itself are beautiful – enough to stand with the Glenfiddich range of rare whiskies.
13. Glenfiddich IPA Experiment
Average Price: approx. $70/750ml
Alcohol Content: 43% ABV
Tasting Notes:
- Palate: Fresh hops, citrus, and creamy caramel
- Nose: Fresh green apple and herbs
- Color: Rich golden
- Finish: Medium length to long and honeyed finish
Is It Worth It?:
This Glenfiddich India Pale Ale (IPA) is made using the finest ingredients and is characterized by its unique citrus notes, including green apple, Robbie Dhu spring water blossoms, and William’s pear.
Its long-lasting sweetness is complemented by fresh hops, similar to the taste of ginger ale.
12. Glenfiddich 30
Average Price: approx. $858/750ml
Alcohol Content: 43% ABV
Tasting Notes:
- Palate: Milk choco, plum, tea, toffee, and vanilla
- Nose: Black tea, chocolate, molasses, and vanilla
- Color: Rich bronze
- Finish: Caramel, leather, and gentle oak
Is It Worth It?:
This blend of Glenfiddich whisky is incredibly well-balanced and has a delicate and light body that exhibits various flavors. If you like your whisky neat or with club soda or water, this is a good whisky to try.
What makes this bottle worth it? This blend is made from Spanish Oloroso and American bourbon oak marrying tuns.
11. Glenfiddich 15 Solera Reserve
Average Price: approx. $80/750ml
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Tasting Notes:
- Palate: Cinnamon, ginger, citrus, and sherry
- Nose: Dried fruits, honeyed vanilla, and caramel
- Color: Golden
- Finish: Sherry and oak finish
Is It Worth It?:
This Glenfiddich 15 is a sweet and smooth Scotch whisky that’s easy to drink. We like the aroma, and it’s a must-try if you want something more subtle.
“Like a symphony in a bottle, the best Glenfiddich whisky dances across your palate, tantalizing your senses with its complex flavors and unmatched finesse. It’s a liquid masterpiece that transcends time and takes you on an unforgettable journey of taste.”
Liquor Laboratory
Overall, among the Glenfiddich whiskies, this 15 YO, housed in a large oak tun (Solera vat), is a fairly simple Scotch with a decent mouthfeel, making it a good everyday drink.
10. Glenfiddich 25 Rare Oak
Average Price: approx. $650/750ml
Alcohol Content: 43% ABV
Tasting Notes:
- Palate: Baking spice, chocolate, and cotton candy
- Nose: Apple, American oak, and vanilla
- Color: Rich golden
- Finish: Baking spice, choco, and oak spice
Is It Worth It?:
This 25-Year-Old Glenfiddich Rare Oak is likable for its easy-drinking characteristics.
It’s a bit thin yet complex due to its flavor profile compared to other whiskies from Glenfiddich Distillery.
Made with a combo of American bourbon casks and Spanish Sherry butts, it gives a complex and rich taste.
The juicy raisins and spice notes with the creamy vanilla create a great balance.
9. Glenfiddich 23 Gran Cru
Average Price: approx. $400/750ml
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Tasting Notes:
- Palate: pepper, oak, ginger, and pear
- Nose: lemon, caramel, pear, and apple
- Color: Deep amber
- Finish: Mineral, ginger, and vanilla finish
Is It Worth It?:
Aged in oloroso sherry casks and bourbon casks, this Glenfiddich expression gives the seductive notes of sparkling wine and the rich and luscious flavors of single-malt Scotch whisky.
Besides, we like the elegant packaging of the Glenfiddich 21. It has a rotating pedestal and an unusual two-step mechanism for releasing bottles – unique in whiskies.
8. Glenfiddich 14 Bourbon Barrel Reserve
Average Price: approx. $66/750ml
Alcohol Content: 43% ABV
Tasting Notes:
- Palate: Caramel, charred oak, pear, and caramel
- Nose: Caramel, honey, pencil eraser, and vanilla
- Color: Dark amber
- Finish: Short with fruity notes and spice
Is It Worth It?:
The Glenfiddich 14 Single Malt Whisky is smooth and flavorful with flavors of vanilla, caramel, and charred oak, all of which are reminiscent of bourbon.
We recommend this whisky for drinkers looking for distinctiveness and signature notes. But, while it’s a decent whisky, you’ll find this one slightly higher priced – but worth it.
7. Glenfiddich 21-Year-Old Gran Reserva
Average Price: approx. $253/750ml
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Tasting Notes:
- Palate: Walnut, mango, raisins, and honey
- Nose: Sweet floral notes, coconut, and almond
- Color: Dark gold
- Finish: Honey, mango, and pineapple
Is It Worth It?:
Although Glenfiddich 21 YO Gran Reserva is expensive, you get what you pay for. It’s filled with flavors and elegance that are worth experiencing.
The nose is sweet, with hints of rum, pineapple, and mango, followed by the palate dominated by tropical fruits. The finish is short with little heat but a pleasant whisky overall.
6. Glenfiddich 29-Year-Old Grand Yozakura Limited Edition
Average Price: approx. $2000/750ml
Alcohol Content: 45.1% ABV
Tasting Notes:
- Palate: Oaky, honey, toffee, and tannin
- Nose: Ripe fruits, caramel, cinnamon, and zing
- Color: Deep gold
- Finish: long lasting oaky finish
Is It Worth It?:
The limited-edition Glenfiddich Single Malt Whisky is the first of its kind to be finished in Japanese Awamori Casks.
“While I can’t walk on water, I can certainly wobble on whisky.”
– Ashwin Sanghi, Indian Writer
This unique whisky has been aged in American and new oak casks for 29 years.
5. Glenfiddich 40-Year-Old
Average Price: approx. $5000/750ml
Alcohol Content: 45.8% ABV
Tasting Notes:
- Palate: Taste like a fruitcake with raisins and dates
- Nose: Coffee, black cherries, light wood smoke
- Color: Dark mahogany
- Finish: Complex, smoky, and long finish
Is It Worth It?:
This single malt is expensive but well worth the money for its entirely different level characteristics compared to whiskies from the same brand.
It is blended with the remnants of the 40 YO vatting, proving a good depth and aroma.
Given the age of this bottle, it’s a limited release each year with small batches of around 1000 bottles.
4. Glenfiddich Project XX
Average Price: approx. $80/750ml
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Tasting Notes:
- Palate: Candy, oaky, and apple notes
- Nose: Dried fruits, oak vanilla, and licorice
- Color: Deep gold
- Finish: Dried fruits and smooth oak
Is It Worth It?:
Coming from the Experimental Series, Project XX is well worth it for its meticulous cask-selecting process, in which the master blender uses only these barrels to craft the best Glenfiddich whisky [1].
We suggest adding a few drops of water or enjoying it with ice to experience this spirit and fully release all the flavors within.
3. Glenfiddich 18-Year-Old
Average Price: approx. $132/750ml
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Tasting Notes:
- Palate: Dried fruit, baking spice, orange, and cinnamon
- Nose: Baked apple, oak, honey, and vanilla
- Color: Amber
- Finish: Long oak finish with sherry notes
Is It Worth It?:
Matured in Oloroso sherry oak casks and American bourbon barrels, this 18 YO gives a smooth and sweet profile – balanced by the woodiness of the barrels.
This a simple yet enjoyable dram with enough complexity. Expect no alcohol burn, and it’s a good whisky to sip neat or in cocktail recipes.
2. Glenfiddich Perpetual Collection Vat 01
Average Price: approx. $200/750ml
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Tasting Notes:
- Palate: Layers of sweetness, spice, and pepper
- Nose: floral and fragrant with citrus and blossom
- Color: Autumn barley
- Finish: Smooth and delicate
Is It Worth It?:
This is an exceptional all-natural single malt served to every palate. We like its delicate and luscious notes complemented by its rich and creamy texture.
Due to its origins in European oak, American oak, and red wine casings, this expression has gained a bit of favor among whisky brands- making it one of the best Glenfiddich whisky expressions.
1. Glenfiddich 12-Year-Old Sherry Cask Finish
Average Price: approx. $63/750ml
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Tasting Notes:
- Palate: Apple, hazelnut, honey, and malty
- Nose: Baking spice, oak, sherry, and vanilla
- Color: Rich amber
- Finish: Apple notes with orange peel and malt
Is It Worth It?:
The Glenfiddich 12-Year-Old Sherry Cask Finish is worth it for its smooth and sweet profile that can be enjoyed without being cloying.
We like the low heat level adding to its overall smooth texture. Its enjoyable taste notes will keep you coming back for more.
Although Glenfiddich 12-Year-Old is not the typical complex whisky as some of Glenfiddich’s expensive single malts [2], it’s a great value for the price.
FAQs Related to Best Glenfiddich
What is the best Glenfiddich whisky?
The “best” Glenfiddich whisky can vary depending on personal taste preferences and the desired flavor profile. Glenfiddich offers a range of expressions, including single malts of different ages and finishes, each with its unique characteristics.
Which Glenfiddich expression is the most popular?
Glenfiddich 12 Year Old is one of the most popular expressions from the distillery. It is known for its smooth and approachable taste, with notes of pear, apple, vanilla, and oak, making it a great introduction to the Glenfiddich range.
What is the difference between Glenfiddich 12, 15, and 18 Year Old?
Glenfiddich 12 Year Old is a classic single malt with youthful and vibrant flavors. Glenfiddich 15 Year Old is matured in a combination of American oak and European oak casks, offering richer and more complex flavors. Glenfiddich 18 Year Old is aged for an extended period, resulting in deeper, spicier, and more refined characteristics.
Is Glenfiddich considered a premium whisky brand?
Yes, Glenfiddich is widely regarded as a premium whisky brand due to its high-quality craftsmanship, long-standing reputation, and consistent delivery of exceptional whiskies across its range of expressions.
What makes Glenfiddich stand out among other whisky brands?
Glenfiddich is known for its innovation and pioneering spirit in the whisky industry. It was one of the first distilleries to actively promote single malt Scotch whisky globally, contributing to its widespread popularity and acclaim.
Can Glenfiddich be enjoyed neat, or is it better suited for cocktails?
Glenfiddich can be enjoyed both neat and in cocktails, depending on personal preferences. The smooth and well-balanced nature of Glenfiddich whiskies makes them ideal for sipping neat or on the rocks, while their complexity can also elevate classic whisky cocktails.
In A Nutshell
Every Glenfiddich [4] spirit is unique in its own way, catering to a range of palates and styles. Whether neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails, Glenfiddich won’t fail to deliver satisfaction.
But if you ask us, the best is definitely the 12 YO Sherry Cask Finish. It has a smooth vibe, delicious taste, and satisfying finish. Most importantly, it’s a great value for money.
So raise your glass high and toast to the undeniable greatness of Glenfiddich. Sláinte!
References:
- https://www.britannica.com/topic/whiskey
- https://in.askmen.com/food-drinks/1126083/article/facts-about-single-malt-whisky-amp-up-your-knowledge-appreciate-the-craft-and-enjoy-the-dram
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/georgekoutsakis/2019/06/20/worlds-best-selling-single-malt-whisky/
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/_glenfiddich/2021/11/01/6-things-you-didnt-know-about-glenfiddich-the-worlds-leading-single-malt-scotch-whisky/