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Next month, Glenfiddich will launch the fourth concept in its Experimental Series with Glenfiddich Fire & Cane, a smoky whisky finished in sweet rum casks.
Fire & Cane is inspired by the early innovation of Glenfiddich Malt Master Brian Kinsman, who in 2003 first ran peated spirit through the Glenfiddich stills, which lead to the beginning of the concept.
Fire & Cane marries smoky whisky with non-peated malts that had been maturing side-by-side in bourbon casks, highlighting Glenfiddich’s sweet and fruity signature style.
Taking it a step further, Kinsman finished the whisky in Latin rum casks to produce a surprising and unexpected overlay of flavours with added caramel toffee sweetness.
“This new single malt truly encapsulates the spirit of experimentation. We started with a question - what would happen if we did something with peat that we had not done before?
"The answer is an unconventional and unexpected whisky, one that is truly surprising,” said Brian Kinsman.
“During the tastings, some experienced the unusual smoky notes, while others tasted toffee flavours – this phenomenon can be attributed to the Scotch spending three months in sweet rum casks.
"It’s a bold combination, which I’m sure will appeal and intrigue single malt enthusiasts as well as those looking to try something new and different.”
Picture: Glenfiddich Fire & Cane
The fire of the newest expression in the Experimental Series provides a taste of campfire smokiness with oak and peaty notes, finished with lingering woodiness.
The cane provides long-lasting sweetness by merging rich sweet toffee with green fruit character, baked apple, and toasted marshmallow with soft spice.
Rum casks also help balance the dryness of the phenols and drive sweetness. Furthermore, Fire & Cane is finished using naturally sweet American oak – sourced from the Kelvin Cooperage in Louisville, Kentucky.
The Glenfiddich Experimental Series combines the brand’s passion for pushing Scotch whisky boundaries whilst unlocking new possibilities in the true spirit of experimentation.
Other releases in the series include the Glenfiddich IPA Experiment, Glenfiddich Project XX and Glenfiddich Winter Storm.
Fire & Cane is bottled in a coloured glass that seamlessly transitions from a black/brown base to clear glass and was designed to showcase the juxtaposing flavours physically with this shift in colour.
