Glenfiddich Solera Reserve 15 years old review and tasting notes
The Glenfiddich Solera Reserve 15 years single malt Scotch is a soft, very fruity, warm, enveloping whisky, where honey, spicy and vanilla tones submerge your nose without stopping. It is not a subtle dram. On the contrary, everything is exaggerated and pushed to the extreme.
The malt is distorted and pumped. The sweetness of the fruit is almost tactile. The consistency is creamy, dense, but not for this it deserves to be criticized so hard.
Glenfiddich is one of the largest industries among Scottish distilleries, and this Glenfiddich Solera Reserve 15 has entered into the coveted ranking of the 10 best-selling whiskeys in the world.
As soon as it happened, all the wise whisky gurus started to rant against this mellow dram. In reality, it has its “own style,” whimsical personality, and a baroque charm, but it’s not bad at all.
It is not a whiskey where the malt comes out clean and pungent and floral, it is not an Aultmore, but as a classic easygoing whisky, soft and pleasant, it is a certainty. Indeed, it is not very deep and does not have an exaggerated aromatic development.
It focuses a lot on various refinements to show off layers and layers of spicy and oxidized flavors, it is stylized, but this is its incarnation. And it is faithful to the stylistic path chosen by Glenfiddich for this bottle: as an everyday drink for a moment of relaxation, it is excellent. It does not want to be a cerebral Speyside whisky, that’s all.
How the Glenfiddich solera reserve is made
The refinement is fourfold. In practice, it is a meticulous processing of barrels of various origins. First, it ages in ex-bourbon barrels, then in new oak to absorb tannins and toasting, then in ex-sherry barrels, and a grand finale with assembly in large vats with the solera method, where whiskey has been resting since 1998.
Organoleptic characteristics of Glenfiddich solera reserve 15 year old single malt Scotch whisky
The nose is pyrotechnic, dominated by ripe suggestions of sherry with baked plums, honey, almonds, and flowing marzipan; withered flowers; and spicy returns with endless cinnamon and vanilla. The pace is good. The bouquet is decadent, oxidized, and nutty with persistent dried fruit.
On the palate, it is rich and sumptuous, velvety in development. The structure is remarkable, the alcoholic charge intense and peppery, but never too fiery.
On the contrary, it manages to find an excellent gustatory dynamic, all played on woody, spicy, ripe fruit and almond flavors.
Overall, it is not exactly a classic single malt for the Glenfiddich style. It has more Macallan-style oxidation, but it is enjoyable, and not too demanding in terms of hardness since it focuses on pleasantness and richness.
Price
Fifty-five euros: an acceptable price for an easy-to-drink whisky, made with great care.
Food Pairings
Chocolate, salmon terrines, brisket and pulled pork, chocolate cupcakes, cheesecakes, ciambella, Tiramisù or chocolate salami.