I'm a rather big fan of regular Glenfiddich 12 -- it often gets a bashing from whisky snobs (like myself) for being so commonplace and relatively simple -- but it's a solid and pleasing if not amazing single malt. And although I'd imagine myself to enjoy a higher-strength cousin (and non chillfiltered too), I don't like this one particularly more than my standby 12. Nose basically gives me caramel. Palate is pleasant with tinges of apples and chocolate, and generally light caramel and vanilla tones... not a whole lot there, really. Some general spices in the medium-length finish. It's strange, there's a cask-strength-like fullness to the limited flavors and body/feel of this, yet not a lot behind it... if that makes sense. Certainly a likable whisky, though.
Unlike Adam, this is a step up in the Glenfiddich line for me. I am not a big fan of the regular 12 (although I do not always bash it - even though I am snob also). I think this is certainly a better malt and at a higher strength, it to me is clearly superior to the 15 year (Solera).
The caramel is nice and that classic 12 malty/minty background is there but really subdued. I like the extra vanilla this brings out in the nose after a few minutes. The palate could do with more of the oak spice that doesn't really develop as much as it could. Water does not help this as it just washes everything out.
Bottom line is that i would likely choose this over most other entry level Glenfiddichs.
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