Glenfiddich Distillery is expanding the Grand Series with the release of the Glenfiddich Grand Château 31 Year Old. This is the first release from Glenfiddich to be finished in red wine casks from Bordeaux, and constitutes “the unexpected marriage of two luxury worlds,” according to a brand press release.
The Glenfiddich Grand Château will be available from luxury whisky and spirit retailers as well as UK-based premium establishments, including Harvey Nichols, from September 2024. The whisky will retail for £1,595 (~$2,095).
Glenfiddich Grand Château
The whisky inside the Glenfiddich Grand Château began its maturation period in American oak, where it stayed for 22 years, before undergoing a 9-year finishing period in Bordeaux red wine casks.
The resulting whisky is “Indulgent and rich, caramelised cherry and apple intertwines with warming spice and toasted oak; an opulent, yet earthy liquid that’s fruity and at the same time floral.”
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Released as part of the Grand Series, which celebrates the fusion of single malt scotch with other cultures from around the world, the Grand Château looks to the wine regions of France. Red wines from the Bordeaux region are noted for their full-bodied structure and rich flavors of dark fruits and oak tannins.
Previous bottlings in Glenfiddich’s Grand Series include the Glenfiddich Grand Yozakura, finished in Japanese awamori casks, and the Grand Couronne, finished in cognac casks.
Glenfiddich Grand Château Packaging
As befits a stunning 31 Year Old single malt scotch, the packaging is inspired by the French textile art of toile de jouy, honoring Glenfiddich’s connection to the arts. In addition to the striking interior of the box, French street artist, André Saraiva, has designed ‘The Artist’s Edition’ limited edition box.
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The limited edition boxes chronicle the journey of Saraiva’s signature character, ‘Mr. A.’, as he travels from Paris to New York, Shenzhen to London, and Seoul, before “playfully selecting the extended Bordeaux red wine cask finished whisky at Glenfiddich Distillery in Scotland.” Only 250 of these limited edition boxes are available.
Brian Kinsman, Glenfiddich Malt Master:
“Bordeaux red wine casks are incredibly versatile sources of flavour and recognised widely for their outstanding quality, providing the perfect opportunity for experimentation to develop a profound spirit. Nine years spent cocooned in these extraordinary Bordeaux red wine casks results in an exceptionally vibrant liquid which intensifies Glenfiddich’s classic fruity character balanced somewhat unusually with notes of deep oak and warming vanilla.
“Although wine is becoming an increasingly popular choice for maturation within the single malt category, it remains relatively rare to see whiskies finished in a Bordeaux red wine cask, making this an incredibly intriguing and collectable bottling.”
The Grand Château At Harvey Nichols
In addition to the nationwide release of Glenfiddich Grand Château, a pop-up retail space will be at Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge, London, from September 16th to October 13th, 2024.
The doors to the space will open to a room adorned with the delicate toile de jouy pattern that can be seen on the box for the Grand Château. Also dotted around the space will be illustrations of André Saraiva’s ‘Mr.A’ – a top-hatted character that is featured on ‘The Artist’s Edition’ display boxes.
André Saraiva, an internationally renowned artist, was given creative control of the space, which includes the 109 Bar.
During the four-week residency, whisky lovers and art fans alike will be able to enjoy drams of Glenfiddich scotch whisky, including the new 31 Year Old, as well as curated cocktails.
Tasting Notes
“Nose: Warm cocooning vanilla slowly unveils fruity, floral notes of beautifully ripe cassis berries, and piquant nutty aromas
“Taste: Indulgent and rich, flavours of slowly caramelised cherries and apples intertwine with an unmistakable warming spice and toasted oak
“Finish: Everlasting depth and character”
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