Glenfiddich 'Excellence' 26-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)

The defining characteristic of Glenfiddich Excellence 26 Year Old is its understated and delicate nature. This starts in the glass, where it has a white wine coloring that is just a little softer and more translucent than expecting, but without losing its color.

The nose has a buttery texture and a very fruit-driven scent. This is the richest, boldest part of the whisky, and while I wouldn’t say it is aromatic and carries across the room, it certainly rises up from the table to greet your nostrils. Green fruits with a dollop of vanilla, seasoned with a little jasmine tea and a drop of smoke, likely American barrel char.

Once on the palate, Excellence 26 Year Old takes on a much more restrained and light aspect. The main current of this Glenfiddich is its sweetness, which takes on not a fruity but more of a candied character on your tongue. Vanilla and toffee spiced with hot cinnamon and licorice would make this like the memory of a really nice craft candy store visit, were it not for the signs of the long time spent in old American barrels, which gives it notes of leathery wood and barrel char smoke.