Glenfiddich Grand Cru is a 23 year old single malt, which has been aged in American and European oak casks before being finished in French oak cuvée wine casks for up to six months.
Bottled at 40% ABV, the whisky is presented in Glenfiddich's iconic shaped bottled and comes housed in a rotating black and gold box. Travellers can also pick up a bottle (43% ABV) at selected airports.
Grand Cru is the only Glenfiddich Single Malt whisky to undergo this finishing in French cuvée casks, which once contained the liquid that goes on to become some of the world’s most celebrated sparkling wines.
Discover new Glenfiddich Grand Cru, a Single Malt Scotch Whisky aged for 23 years and finished in rare French cuvée casks.#Glenfiddich #GlenfiddichGrandCru pic.twitter.com/E3sRjgYdI6
— Glenfiddich Whisky (@GlenfiddichSMW) September 3, 2019
Created to celebrate an occasion, as is common with drinking sparkling wine or whisky, Glenfiddich malt master, Brian Kinsman, commented: "Breaking category conventions once more, this unusual collaboration presented an exciting opportunity to create a spirit that further elevated our unique Glenfiddich style.
"We experimented with the maturation time and hand selected the right balance of 23 year old Glenfiddich casks out of our unique collection of old age malts.
"The further influence from the oak of the French cuvée casks added an extra layer of complexity thanks to the liquid they once held. Marrying the best of both worlds, the final liquid presents an exceptional finesse and is a special tribute to each individual cuvée cask the malts were finished in."
Global Glenfiddich brand ambassador, Struan Grant Ralph, said: "This new whisky exemplifies the brand’s passion for pushing Scotch whisky boundaries, looking beyond the world of whisky to create exquisitely flavoured liquids.
"Our aim was to create a fresh, new drinking moment for Glenfiddich and for the wider whisky category, by crafting an expression that plays on the liquid synonymous with celebration but that brings the substance and smoothness of Single Malt to the moment.
"The result is Grand Cru – a liquid that bears the hallmark of quality and innovation associated with the brand and is a true testament to our innate maverick spirit."
Picture: Till Britz
Ifan Jenkins, UK marketing director, added: "The launch of Grand Cru signifies a pivotal moment in Glenfiddich’s brand history and one we’re extremely proud of.
"With this extraordinary new liquid, we continue to push the boundaries in the whisky category and create new drinking experiences. Our ambition is to re-write the rules of whisky in the luxury sector by tapping into celebratory occasions in a new and meaningful way."
Launched today, 3 September, in Scotland, Singapore, Canada and America, it will be available exclusively in Harrods and online here with a RRP of £220.
This expression is part of a new set of 'grand releases', with further launches to be unveiled in 2020.
On the nose there is apple blossom, freshly baked bread and candied lemon, whereas the taste has layers of rich vanilla oak, sweet brioche, sandalwood, pear sorbet and white grape. The finish is long, sweet and smooth.
