First Impressions
Glenfiddich 18 is where the house style grows up. The familiar pear is still there, but now wrapped in dried fruit, sherry richness and a deeper oak spine.
Distillery & Heritage
The Small Batch Reserve is made by hand-selecting casks of 18-year-old Glenfiddich — both ex-bourbon American oak and Spanish oloroso sherry butts — and marrying them together in small batches in oak tuns for several months before bottling. Malt Master Brian Kinsman oversees the process.
Tasting Notes in Detail
The nose opens with baked apple and cinnamon, followed by raisin, fig, soft oloroso nuttiness and polished oak. The palate is silky and layered — orchard fruit compote, toffee, dried fruit, a touch of dark sugar and warm oak spice.
Verdict
A textbook example of how to marry bourbon and sherry maturation.
