Glenfiddich Brings Two 44 Year Old Single Malts To Market

Scotch single malt distilleries like Glenfiddich have, at their disposal, a large number of casks of aging whisky that ranges from a few years to a few decades old. Sometimes these are good for single cask releases, such as two new ones Glenfiddich announced recently that are both 44 years old.

The new Glenfiddich Rare Collection: 1975 Vintage Cask 4706 and Cask 5114, according to those behind them, were originally laid down “within a week of each other in 1975 in the cool, dark vaults of the Glenfiddich distillery warehouses. Perfect complements to one another, Cask 4706, aged in a European Oak Sherry Butt, [while] Cask 5114, matured in an unusually rare European Oak Hogshead.”

“Selecting the casks to be a part of the exclusive Glenfiddich Rare Collection is a meticulous but extremely rewarding process,” said Glenfiddich Malt Master, Brian Kinsman, in a prepared statement. “They must reflect the timelessness of the Glenfiddich character, and the mastery of craftsmanship that has gone into creating the outstanding liquid within, resulting in a selection of whisky that is truly beyond compare.”

As it stands now plans call for these two single cask releases to be exclusive to the United States only, with each pricing around $9000 and being limited to 100 bottles per cask. Each whisky is “bottled at cask strength and are non-chill filtered. Each bottle is then individually numbered and presented in a handcrafted brown Italian leather box with a copper foiled leaflet containing detailed information about the bottling.”

You’ll find some official tasting notes below for each.

Cask 4706 – This distinctive and rare rich gold whisky has a lively and vibrant bouquet imparting notes of oak, antique leather, tannin and crisp parchment, while maintaining its intriguing zestiness with hints of green apple and citrus. At first sip, a silky-smooth mouthfeel is welcoming with a creamy vanilla sweetness followed by a long-lasting finish of mellow oak, toasted almonds, banana and spring blossom.

Cask 5114 – A beautifully rich and complex dark amber whisky envelops the nose with an intense spicy oak character and layers of dried fruits. An initial burst of sundried raisins and vanilla gives way to more subtle notes of cinnamon, nutmeg and caramelized apple. Once tasted, the first wave of flavor is a powerful expression of the Glenfiddich distillery character taken to new levels with essence of spicy oak and fruit, followed by unfolding notes of apricots, prunes and dates, concluding with woody spice, toasted macadamia and rich fruit cake.