As you know, independent Glenfiddich is extremely rare. Among the available releases is this 1964 cask bottled by J. & J. Hunter, a beer, wine and spirits wholesaler near Belfast. In 1992 they also bottled a second cask #10790 (at 58%).
Glenfiddich 1964
(56%, J. & J. Hunter 1992, cask #10802)
Glenfiddich 1964Nose: loud sherry with all the bells and whistles. Prunes, raisins, demerara sugar, pear syrup. Plenty of chocolate notes. Blackcurrant jam. Christmas cake. Rather perfect. Maybe even a hint of coal smoke in the background.
Mouth: intense with a development that I’ve rarely encountered. It starts sherried and full, quite rummy, but after a few seconds it develops something I would describe as a mix of library dust, old roses and diesel? Something metallic as well. Then it grows really tannic (grape seeds, walnut skin) with a bitter edge (dark chocolate with aspirin notes). Obviously not so perfect any more, but highly individual.
Finish: still dusty with hints of cold coffee and aspirin.
What started really well on the nose, got a bit out of hand in the mouth. Maybe this Glenfiddich was not in perfect condition (bottled 1992 and open for some time now) but I’m sure the bottled spirit must have been a little past its due date already. Lovely nose though. The Whisky Exchange in London is selling a bottle of the 58% version for around € 450.
Score: 87/100