The 14 Year Old Bourbon Barrel Reserve shows exactly why Glenfiddich is a go-to name for so many Scotch lovers – plenty of charm, plenty of nuance, and an easy-going approachability that makes it accessible for a wide audience. The vast majority of the aging takes place (obviously) in premium ex-Bourbon barrels from Kentucky, with a short finish in brand new, #4 char American oak. Thankfully, that finishing cask doesn’t impart an overt character to the whisky, so it maintains the classic ‘fiddich drinkability you’re looking for. The nose is a balanced array of sweet malts, mostly warm oatmeal dusted with brown sugar and cinnamon, which really is just the combination of the whisky itself and the barrel playing in harmony. Nice secondary notes of peach and orange marmalade, plus softer baking spices round out the aromatics. The palate is wonderfully easy-going with a texture that just glides from start to finish, giving flavors of cooked peaches, toffee, and pumpkin pie. You definitely get the bourbon character around the edges and on the finish, where baking spices and a subtle peppery flair pop out. The mid-palate is full and round as the flavors expand and then taper off in a gently fading finish. It’s a classic pop & pour Scotch that doesn’t need anything but a glass.
91 points, Andrew Kitz, B-21 Spirits Buyer (Jun 2025)
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