Whisky of the week – Glenfiddich Fire and Cane.

The fourth expression from the Glenfiddich Experimental Series, Fire & Cane was released into the wild in mid-2018. I’m always in awe of the knowledge of the master distillers that make these decisions, but giving some of the distillery’s peated single malt a three-month finishing period in rum casks from a variety of South American countries is a stroke of genius.

Glenfiddich Fire and Cane is an eye-opener for me. A great testament to the current experimentalism in the ages-old whisky distilling profession.
Scottish distillers are refusing to rest on their laurels despite already producing the world’s favourite hard liquor.
And Glenfiddich are at the front of the the charge.
This bottle invokes pirate campfires in the Caribbean, and rum-tinted nights in the keys off Florida, and the mist of a salty Scottish island on a rainy day.

Tasting Notes

A burnished bronze, bold balance of sweetness and smoke, bottled at 43% ABV. A distant cousin to a familiar friend, building on tradition.
The Nose: Soft peat with a distant smoke, rich sweet toffee, zesty fruit notes with spiciness.
The Palate: peaty with light smoke and oak notes, muted notes of that familiar friend balanced with spiced sweetness, sharp green fruit and caramelised orange.
Mid Palate: rum notes and light lingering fire.
The Finish: lingering smoky tea with burnt sugar floating off into the distance.

When you’re innovating, not everything works. That’s the risk you take. And when you’re a global leader in your space, with a reputation to lose, that’s a big risk.
I won’t hide it. My starting point was Glenfiddich Fire and Cain. As in the biblical nasty brother. I was so wrong.
I salute Glenfiddich for going down this road. For me, this is a fantastic expression from the distillery, because I loved it when, purely for personal taste reasons, I have never previously been their biggest fan.
Glenfiddich’s innovation has finally drawn me in.
Respect.

Roadtested in the Pot Still, Glasgow , Scotland.