This is a rather special one. Not only is it a bottle that was/is only available through auction and the secondary market, it’s also a very old fashioned ‘one ‘Fiddich with proper European oak maturation for a longer period of time.

Through some online channels I was able to purchase a sample and after two years of moving around through the Netherlands, it made it to my a little while ago. Contrary to many other samples, I managed to remember trying this rather quickly!

I’m not entirely sure what a conference on climate change has to do with whisky. Even more so because I don’t think many distilleries are that eco-friendly, even though many steps have taken in the right direction. But, the fact that money is generated for a charity makes up for a lot of it, I think. And I don’t even mean that in my usual cynical way.

Sniff:
A very date and prune forward sherry cask at a significant age. That means that the very gentle spirit of Glenfiddich is really pushed back. There is old leather, caramel and honey, some almonds too.

Sip:
The palate brings a bit more of a bitter bite than I expected. Almonds, prune and date stones, dry barley and oak too. A bit of black pepper, but with a coating sweet ness behind it all. So, honey and caramel again.

Swallow:
The finish is very old fashioned in the sherry department. Leather, dates and prunes. Not as sweet as the palate, but with more barley and oak. Some honey, but not a lot. Slightly green with mosses and ferns too.

I was thinking about a one point lower rating, but the finish really makes this one more interesting. The palate and nose are amazing, very old fashioned but also a little straight forward. However, the finish with a bit less sweetness and those green notes kick this up to a 89 point whisky. That is where it truly shines.

89/100

Available in auctions and through the secondary market for € 1500 at the time of writing.