Glenfiddich Welcomes A New Whisky To The Block
Challenging the conventions of single malt Scotch whisky, Glenfiddich ventured to discover a new luxury taste in their Grand Château. This whisky is rested for 31 years before a single drop is tasted!
Glenfiddich, the world’s most awarded single malt Scotch whisky brand, released their newest edition to the Grand Series in South Africa on 1 October 2024. In essence, the Grand Château is blurring the boundary between the two exclusive and luxurious worlds of wine and whisky.
Intriguing Notes and Nuances of Glenfiddich Grand Châteaux
The 130-year-old family legacy of Glenfiddich remains a key player in the world of whisky. Critiques have said the Grand Châteaux holds flavours of caramelised cherries and apples intertwined with a hint of spice and toasted oak. Therefore, it seems that the signature stamp of Glenfiddich remains to be in the fruity notes underlying the nutty aromas.
The liquid making up the Grand Château initially rests in American oak barrels for 22 years. Then, it is rounded off in French Bordeaux red wine casks for a further nine years. This adds layers of intricate and unexpected flavours and new aromas, resulting in the liquid now called single malt whisky.
Brian Kinsman, Glenfiddich Malt Master, said: “Bordeaux red wine casks are incredibly versatile sources of flavour… which intensifies Glenfiddich’s classic, fruity character, balanced somewhat unusually with notes of deep oak and warming vanilla.”
He also said it was still “relatively rare to see whiskies finished in a Bordeaux red wine cask, making this an incredibly intriguing and collectible bottling.”
The display boxes of the Grand Château are in honour of Glenfiddich’s connection to the world of art. Partnering with French street artist, André Saraiya, an even more limited Grand Château was crafted into existence. Saraiya used the traditional Toile De Jouy display box as a tool for his own imagination. Painted into existence, one can see the infamous ‘Mr A’ having his own taste of the Grand Château.
The Grand Series as a whole “celebrates the unexpected collision between single malt and different cultures from around the world,” said Lifa Bakana, Senior Brand Manager for William Grant & Sons.
Adding Grand Châteaux to the collection is the telling of a “tale of two worlds, drawing inspiration and character from both Scotland and France to create one exceptional liquid.”
There's A Small Catch...
This luxurious Grand Châteaux is limited in quantity, with a mere 300 bottles available in South Africa. Ultimately, that makes the demand much more than the supply. Thus, the starting price is R40 000 per bottle, proving the everlasting depth and character of the new single malt is a once-in-a-lifetime taste.
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