Glenfiddich hosted a 125th Anniversary Dinner at Centennial Parklands Dining, a dual celebration of Glenfiddich and Centennial Park attaining 125 years of age.
The intimate event unveiled two new limited release expressions, the Glenfiddich 125th Anniversary Edition and the Glenfiddich Anniversary Vintage.
Glenfiddich 125th Anniversary Edition
During a historical presentation by Anthony Dunsford, Director Visitor Experience at Centennial Parklands, a curious dram was passed around. Pleasantly peated on the nose, the Glenfiddich 125th Anniversary Edition (not the Anniversary Vintage) was revealed to be the first peated Glenfiddich expression. Made using Speyside peat, it has a smoky character without the maritime and salty nature of Islay whiskies. On the palate, it is vibrant with creamy notes and peat, and a lingering finish that invites you to sip some more of this sensational dram.
This limited edition whisky is meant to replicate what Glenfiddich would have tasted like 125 years ago. Bearing no age statement, the whisky is bottled at 43% ABV and aged in sherry and American oak and retails for $150.
Glenfiddich Anniversary Vintage
The Glenfiddich Anniversary Vintage (55.2% ABV) is indeed a rare collection. Only 286 bottles are available worldwide with only five bottles making the journey to Australia.
On Christmas Day 1987, Glenfiddich’s centenary anniversary, the whisky was placed in European sherry casks for a quarter of a century before Glenfiddich Malt Master, Brian Kinsman pre-selected a small number of the centenary casks so that on the 125th anniversary, cask number 19996 was to become the Glenfiddich Anniversary Vintage.
The whisky is dark bronze in colour with a rich nose of fruit cake and cinnamon, a hint of citrus and vanilla sweetness. Luxurious on the palate, it is rich with spice. ginger, sherry and sweetness with a long and lingering sweet and oaky finish.
The Glenfiddich Anniversary Vintage retails for $1,250 AUD.
This article was originally published on October 25, 2013 on our sister website Gourmantic.