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Whisky Review: Glenfiddich Age of Discovery Red Wine Cask Finish

We review Glenfiddich Age of Discovery Red Wine Cask Finish, a travel retail exclusive finished in malbec, merlot, and cabernet sauvignon casks.

OVERALL RATING

7
$105.00
  • Kirk Sig is a whisky connoisseur known for his candid and investigative approach to whisky reviews.
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Tasting Notes

About:

19 Years Old; 40% ABV / 80 proof; 700ml; price range is fairly significant, from $105 all the way up to $170.
Appearance:
Shimmering gold in color. The legs display nice “lacy” beading consistent with a fine old dram. I hereby dub them “Goldie Hawn Legs” – not to be confused with “Golda (Mier) Legs,” which are commonly found in mugs of barley wine.
Nose:
Green apples and nutmeg jump out of the glass first, which isn’t all that surprising. This pair often surfaces in limited release Glenfiddichs, as well as single cask Glen Elgins. Other flavors become noticeable after the grand entrance, revealing lemon zest, oak tannin, shortbread, vanilla creme, trace hints of dried red wine, apricot, and raspberry.
Palate:
The oak kicks things off with some white pepper and allspice. At this point, sweet nothings come rolling down the tongue. There’s raspberry, lemon ginger, and clotted cream (that’s gone a bit rancid). A pronounced graham cracker note emerges near the finish, and then the oak spices take over again.

The length of the finish is medium. Not too long, not too short. For me, the rancid cream note is hard forget. Why? Because it reminds me of whisky that I drank in my early 20’s–some of it Glenfiddich 12 Year Old–which wasn’t (and still isn’t) my style of dram. A hint of brooding distillery character haunts the finish of Age of Discovery Red Wine Cask Finish, along with spicy European oak, as well as some fruity-sweet notes that brighten the corners. Alas, these parts do not a whole make.
Finish:
Comments:
Believe it or not, I prefer the 19-Year-Old in front of me to Glenfiddich’s OB 18 Year-Old. The nineteen is more complex and satisfying–even though its younger cousin has a longer and a drier finish. With a bit more oomf, both drams would come out ahead. Forty percent ABV is rather low, unless one is drinking a really mature single malt…say, up over thirty years of age.rnrnAs for the Darwinian theme of Glenfiddich’s Age of Discovery Red Wine Cask Finish, it’s worth pointing out that Darwin’s biggest tome was entitled, The Descent of Man. The most striking aspects of this work examine how people could be managed through forced migrations, starvation, the strategic application of pandemics, and weapons-based genocide.rnrnThis afternoon, I enjoyed sipping Glenfiddich’s Age of Discovery Red Wine Cask Finish outside on my backyard deck, while watching jets fly over the metropolitan skyline, to and fro, as they experimented with geo-engineering techniques. It took me a while to finish looking over the rather complex box art. As time went by, an azure blue sky was transformed into polluted haze, but that didn’t stop me from pouring one more drink from the bottle.rnrnFor the whisky drinker who enjoys superb packaging, and a somewhat limited, middle-aged Scotch, I can recommend the Red Wine Cask Finish. Otherwise . . . save your gold doubloons.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Whisky Kirk

Kirk Sig's fascination with Scottish whisky ignited in 1987 during a visit to Edinburgh. In the ensuing three and a half decades, he has cultivated an extensive understanding of distilleries, the whisky industry, and the global whisky landscape.

Kirk prides himself on providing candid and unvarnished reviews, eschewing the prevalent flattery and fluff that often permeate whisky commentary. This direct approach has occasionally ruffled feathers in influential circles, which he views as a testament to his commitment to prioritize the interests of the consumer.

Embracing the spirit of investigative journalism, Kirk's reviews delve deeper, leaving no stone—or cask—unturned. He believes in transparency and ensures that readers are privy to any noteworthy findings, fostering an informed and empowered whisky community.

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