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New Glenfiddich Scotch Finished In Ice Wine Barrels

Scotch whisky distillery Glenfiddich last year debuted the Experimental Series, a range of bottlings designed to push the limits of what they normally bring to market. It resulted in two releases, including one influenced by IPA beer. Now the distillery is back again with the third whisky from this series, a 21-year-old that saw extra aging time in ex-Canadian ice wine barrels.

The new Glenfiddich Winter Storm, as it is called, is said to be the first ever Scotch to be finished in ice wine casks. It was created by Glenfiddich Malt Master Brian Kinsman, who was inspired by a trip to Canada’s Peller Estate winery early last year. He began experimenting with several French oak ice wine casks from the Canadian winery, filling them with various aged malts for up to half a year.

 

“Only the rarer whiskies, those aged for 21 years, could cope with the extra ice wine intensity,” said Kinsman in a prepared statement. “Armed with more tannins extracted from years in oak, these malts brought out a uniquely fresh lychee note rather than being overwhelmed by sweetness.”

Plans call for a limited amount of the 43% ABV Winter Storm to be released globally, with it pricing around $250 USD. It comes in a white ceramic bottle and embossed presentation box, and you’ll find official tasting notes for it at the end of this article.

“It was a privilege to work with Brian on this experiment,” added Peller Estates VP of Winemaking, Craig McDonald. “We go to extreme lengths to produce our intensely sweet Icewine and are always looking for ways to push the boundaries of taste, so I was intrigued to see how it could be used to create a new unexpected whisky. The resulting liquid is a unique combination of the warming soul of whisky and the frozen cold of Icewine.”

  • Nose: A bouquet of tropical fruit and candied sweets are perfectly balanced with underlying wine notes
  • Taste: Soft sweet notes reminiscent of candied fruit and turkish delight develop into flavours of mouth-watering lychee. The fusion of sweet flavours is soon met with a rich drying sensation from the Icewine
  • Finish: Short and crisp
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