Glenfiddich Winter Storm was the third bottling in the Experimental Series, after Project XX and IPA.
It was matured for 21 years in standard American oak barrels, and then finished for 12 weeks in French oak Ice Wine casks sourced from Peller Estates Winery in Canada. The first edition was very popular so they quickly released this second batch.
Glenfiddich 21 yo ‘Winter Storm’
(43%, OB ‘Experimental series’ 2018, Ice Wine finish, 8000 btl.)
Nose: lots of candied fruits, apricots and candy apples, mixed with vanilla and whiffs of potpourri. Some tropical notes (pineapple, papaya) and subtle fresh oaky notes. Sweet and winey, but in a nicely fruity way.
Mouth: same fruitiness with runny honey, a hint of Moscatel and vanilla. Quite tropical indeed, even some lychee, but also balanced with some zesty citrus and marmalade. Herbal oak towards the end, with a light bitter edge.
Finish: quite short, with caramel notes, wine and some oak tannins.
They suggest to have this in an ice cold glass and while I didn’t try it, I suppose it may help to reduce the sweetness even further. For those with a sweet tooth: nicely tropical whisky. Available from The Whisky Exchange or Master of Malt.
Score: 86/100