I know it's not an integrity malt, but I hold the Glenfiddich 15 in higher esteem than many of it's 'non-whisky botherer' peers. This was the dram I choose to sit back and enjoy at the distillery when I visited. A solid poker night dram or any other time that doesn't lend itself to a more complex dram.
My first single malt was the Glenfiddich 12 when I didn't even know what's a single malt. The 15 was my second. I totally agree with what you said. Glenfiddich is a good pour if you manage your expectations and just enjoy it for what it is. Fairly priced too imo. Very accessible and consistent.
Wade! I was just gifted a bottle of this and was going to do the exact same thing for a video! Great minds my man. You are far more eloquent than I would have been, for sure 😂 Chase that 2k my dude!!
The Glenfiddich 15 distillery edition is worth a look if you can find it! Its bit of a cross between the 12 and the 15 but bottled at cask/batch strength!
Nice breakdown of what this whisky provides. For me, it's Glenlivet rather than Glenfiddich I look to for this type of back to basics experience (the 15 years aren't really ideal comparisons given the difference in the casks), but I prefer the Glenlivet spirit, and it gives that same feeling you describe in this video of being held back from its potential in these poorly presented releases. Cheers!
Agree with pretty much everything you said, but I do like this one. It does get better with a little time down the bottle. But it's missing anything resembling a wow factor. As someone who oftens likes his whisky to throw a few elbows, sometimes it's nice to sit with a solid, well-crafted whisky that just tastes good, even if it could be better.
Watching this with a dram of the Glenfiddich 15yo Distillery Edition (51% abv) 😋 If the normal bottling is a bit too thin for you with its 40% abv, maybe you have the opportunity to try the DE?!
100% brother, this series is "My First Time" and you can't do that half way through a bottle 😉 Still think it's worth showcasing first impressions, because we all go through them with every single new bottle.
This solera 15 is one of the first I started with and although I have moved on to others in my whisky journey, I still find myself going back to this . There is a travel edition of this Glenfiddich 15 at 50.2% abv. ( Vat 03) Hope you can do a side by side review. There is a distillery edition at 51% abv but I hear it's discontinued.
When I tried this the first time, I had to answer a phone call after pouring a glass. When I came to the glass in about 20min, it had bloomed beautifully. I now think that is the only way to have this 15 Solera version.
Hi Wade, for the price here in Germany (around €45) it’s actually not bad, I actually like it. If the 15 yr distiller’s edition (at 51%) is not discontinued then that is definitely worth trying. Good honest review Wade, slàinte 🥃
Thanks David, I have been eyeing off the Distiller's Edition for a little while, perhaps this is the push I need to go and find out what it's got to offer 🥃
It’s on sale at uncle Dans ATM for $118 buckaroos!!!!! I paid $130 2 years ago I enjoyed it!!!! It’s dropped in price recently!!! I find it great drop!!! 🥃👍🏻 I’m yet to try my 18 I bought
I went right into peated scotch and avoided Glenfiddich for a long time. For me this is too weak and I just get little from it. I love a deep complexity in scotch and for me this isn't complex at all. It's not much better than the Glenfiddich 12. For the price - $115 Canadian - I can get a much better scotch and with peat or a terrific Speyside! I can get Craigellachie 13 which is by and far so superior to this whisky! Great video Wade!! All opinions are interesting!! Cheers!! 🙂
This one has lovely aroma and taste from those 3 different casks. However, the Travel Retail version of this one is the one to get. NCF and 50.2%abv. PERPETUAL VAT 03.
Yes agree I buy majority of my whiskeys non chilled and natural colour. Can you do a video with WOLFBURN single malt scotch whisky. Enjoying your videos keep up the good work and looking forward to many more videos from you. Cheers.
@@McIntyresMalts you may not get it at a bar since it is a TRE version. I'd say, take this 15 Solera and plug it to an amplifier - you get the Perpetual Vat 03 15yr
I have some much older expressions of Glenfiddich that are higher abv, non-chill and natural colour in my collection (from way back in the day...and sherried before it was a thing). They were awesome expressions and really started me on my whisky journey. It's too bad that they have changed course to appeal the the casual drinker who wants a gigantic cube of ice in their tumbler and fear flavor. I think they still do offer some 15 year old distillery editions from time to time that are NCF and bottled at 51 + % abv. but I can't comment on the cask quality...who knows.
Bruh, I am literally sipping it now. It quite nice. It's my entry -level Scotch of choice to recommend to newbies, it 's quite lovely on the palate, and I am very comfortable with the price. You are correct though, IMO. The finish is... lacking. However, a 15-year single malt for under $75 will always have a place at my table.
Steve and I picked up a bottle of this for $70 at a bws clearance, if this was non chill filtered I reckon it would have hit the mark for a really good 40% whisky
Tbh, I've had only the mini bottle so far, with the old label. So not sure what will I think about the new one, or after having a full bottle but I did love it a lot. Found lovely notes of honey mixed with almonds. Also I do enjoy Glenfiddich 12 a lot, and I don't think I'm quite beginner, since I find myself enjoying also Springbank, Bunnahabhain or GlenAllachie. So, honestly, I think we need to get rid of that cliché of "beginner's whisky" :)
Fair point my friend, not saying anyone who enjoys this whisky is a beginner, but this is absolutely a beginners whisky compared to the others you mentioned. It's important to provide beginners reference points to help them on their journey, which is my intent 😊 Cheers 🥃
In just my second year of whisky appreciation I bought the Glenfiddich 15 YO. And loved it. Then I quickly moved on to meatier drams. 7 years later, I appreciate that most single malts consumed are of this ilk. We whisky geeks are in the vast minority.
You don't have to be a beginner to drink a beginner's whisky! As someone who has been drinking whisky longer than I have been alive I have no place telling you anything about whisky Andrew 😂 Thank you for watching my friend 🥃
The only time I buy GF is to add to basic cheaper blends a elevate malt content, then a percentge of cask strength to bring everything up to 46.3% to 47.7% . Slainte !
I have a 15 year Non-chill filtered 52% ABV Distillery edition. So much better than what we have to put up with. Never buying Glenfiddich again unless I find another bottle of the Distillery Edition
I was very disappointed in it .... difficult to really put my finger on ..wanting more ...however my first bottle of the 21st Havarna reserve was outrageous ..get that 1
Sounds like my experience was about the same as yours. The 15 is just lacklustre and “leaves you wanting more” is a good way to describe it. I have tried the 21-year-old as well and it’s definitely better than this one I agree.
The tragedy is, this version is absolutely awful when compared to its older bottlings. I would urge you to try and buy an older bottling (round tube) and compare. Mind you, the same can be said for the vast majority of whisky today. Lagavulin 16 is my number one example of deteriorating quality.
At $115 it is, based on what they normal ask for it, but you can get much better whiskies around that price or lower (Arran 10, Benromach 10, Bunnahabhain 12, GlenAllachie 12, Deanston 12, Speyburn 15) and excellent whiskies for $150 range that are light years better than this too (GlenDronach 15, Tamdhu 15, GlenAllachie 15, Redbreast 15, Oban 14, Glenfarclas 15)
How do you think the Glenfiddich 15 stacks up when there is so much choice in the market? Let me know 👇
I know it's not an integrity malt, but I hold the Glenfiddich 15 in higher esteem than many of it's 'non-whisky botherer' peers. This was the dram I choose to sit back and enjoy at the distillery when I visited. A solid poker night dram or any other time that doesn't lend itself to a more complex dram.
It’s just a good easy sipper 👌👌🥃🥃
My first single malt was the Glenfiddich 12 when I didn't even know what's a single malt. The 15 was my second. I totally agree with what you said. Glenfiddich is a good pour if you manage your expectations and just enjoy it for what it is. Fairly priced too imo. Very accessible and consistent.
You can't really hate it can you 😊
Wade! I was just gifted a bottle of this and was going to do the exact same thing for a video! Great minds my man. You are far more eloquent than I would have been, for sure 😂 Chase that 2k my dude!!
Freed! Will be keen to hear your thoughts on it my man!
The Glenfiddich 15 distillery edition is worth a look if you can find it! Its bit of a cross between the 12 and the 15 but bottled at cask/batch strength!
Sounds like I need to check it out 🥃
Nice breakdown of what this whisky provides. For me, it's Glenlivet rather than Glenfiddich I look to for this type of back to basics experience (the 15 years aren't really ideal comparisons given the difference in the casks), but I prefer the Glenlivet spirit, and it gives that same feeling you describe in this video of being held back from its potential in these poorly presented releases. Cheers!
Thanks Tim, next video is the Glenlivet 15 French Oak 😉
Agree with pretty much everything you said, but I do like this one. It does get better with a little time down the bottle. But it's missing anything resembling a wow factor. As someone who oftens likes his whisky to throw a few elbows, sometimes it's nice to sit with a solid, well-crafted whisky that just tastes good, even if it could be better.
100% brother! It definitely has its place and I don't mind it at all, and it makes me appreciate those belters so much more!
Slàinte 🥃
Watching this with a dram of the Glenfiddich 15yo Distillery Edition (51% abv) 😋 If the normal bottling is a bit too thin for you with its 40% abv, maybe you have the opportunity to try the DE?!
Yes I think so! Many are suggesting this so that can't be a bad thing.
Cheers Michael 🥃
@@McIntyresMalts if so many people have suggested it, we can't all be wrong 😜 Cheers, my friend 🥃
@@MichaelOrk haha love that! Will add it to my list lol
You're gonna have to do another video on this when it's half full, to see how it evolved over time
.......since neck pours aren't the greatest gauge.
100% brother, this series is "My First Time" and you can't do that half way through a bottle 😉
Still think it's worth showcasing first impressions, because we all go through them with every single new bottle.
@@McIntyresMalts oh right, I see now.
This solera 15 is one of the first I started with and although I have moved on to others in my whisky journey, I still find myself going back to this . There is a travel edition of this Glenfiddich 15 at 50.2% abv. ( Vat 03) Hope you can do a side by side review. There is a distillery edition at 51% abv but I hear it's discontinued.
A 50%+ version would definitely have a lot more to offer
When I tried this the first time, I had to answer a phone call after pouring a glass. When I came to the glass in about 20min, it had bloomed beautifully. I now think that is the only way to have this 15 Solera version.
Time in the glass is a must for all whisky! You know the old adage, a minute in the glass for each year in the cask!
Hi Wade, for the price here in Germany (around €45) it’s actually not bad, I actually like it. If the 15 yr distiller’s edition (at 51%) is not discontinued then that is definitely worth trying. Good honest review Wade, slàinte 🥃
Thanks David, I have been eyeing off the Distiller's Edition for a little while, perhaps this is the push I need to go and find out what it's got to offer 🥃
It’s on sale at uncle Dans ATM for $118 buckaroos!!!!!
I paid $130 2 years ago I enjoyed it!!!! It’s dropped in price recently!!!
I find it great drop!!!
🥃👍🏻
I’m yet to try my 18 I bought
Yeah I found it somewhere cheap about a month ago and then Got Dams to price beat it and got it for $117 👌🥳
@@McIntyresMalts on ya!!! 😉✌️
I went right into peated scotch and avoided Glenfiddich for a long time. For me this is too weak and I just get little from it. I love a deep complexity in scotch and for me this isn't complex at all. It's not much better than the Glenfiddich 12. For the price - $115 Canadian - I can get a much better scotch and with peat or a terrific Speyside! I can get Craigellachie 13 which is by and far so superior to this whisky! Great video Wade!! All opinions are interesting!! Cheers!! 🙂
I feel we share a similar story and preference when it comes to whisky Christine!
@@McIntyresMalts Yes!! I agree Wade!! 🙂
This one has lovely aroma and taste from those 3 different casks. However, the Travel Retail version of this one is the one to get. NCF and 50.2%abv. PERPETUAL VAT 03.
Definitely sounds like the one to get!
Yes agree I buy majority of my whiskeys non chilled and natural colour.
Can you do a video with WOLFBURN single malt scotch whisky.
Enjoying your videos keep up the good work and looking forward to many more videos from you.
Cheers.
Thank you my friend! Will eventually get around to doing some Wolfburn.
Do you have a favourite expression?
They have a 50.2% ABV, Non-Chill Filtered version called Glenfiddich 15 VAT 03. Worth checking out.
I have heard this! Keen to try at a bar before committing to a full bottle
@@McIntyresMalts you may not get it at a bar since it is a TRE version. I'd say, take this 15 Solera and plug it to an amplifier - you get the Perpetual Vat 03 15yr
I’ve had a it a few times and it’s not that good, just higher abv
@@helioteran756 YMMV. After a bit of air in the glass, I find it to be a nice dram.
In the states is $85. Have you tried any Oban offerings?
I have, the 14 and the Distiller's Edition, The 14 is the better of the two IMO
I have some much older expressions of Glenfiddich that are higher abv, non-chill and natural colour in my collection (from way back in the day...and sherried before it was a thing). They were awesome expressions and really started me on my whisky journey. It's too bad that they have changed course to appeal the the casual drinker who wants a gigantic cube of ice in their tumbler and fear flavor. I think they still do offer some 15 year old distillery editions from time to time that are NCF and bottled at 51 + % abv. but I can't comment on the cask quality...who knows.
Sounds like you have some gems in your collection!
Bruh, I am literally sipping it now. It quite nice. It's my entry -level Scotch of choice to recommend to newbies, it 's quite lovely on the palate, and I am very comfortable with the price. You are correct though, IMO. The finish is... lacking. However, a 15-year single malt for under $75 will always have a place at my table.
Yeah agreed, good points mate
How about glenfiddich 21 is a great to buy sir?
I don’t really recommend Glenfiddich
@McIntyresMalts thanks sir...how about Hennessy,martell or remy XO sir?
@@FerdieFranco-g3w I can offer recommendations with whisky my friend, but I wouldn't know what to recommend to you with other brown spirits I'm sorry.
Steve and I picked up a bottle of this for $70 at a bws clearance, if this was non chill filtered I reckon it would have hit the mark for a really good 40% whisky
At that price it's an absolute steal!
Tbh, I've had only the mini bottle so far, with the old label. So not sure what will I think about the new one, or after having a full bottle but I did love it a lot. Found lovely notes of honey mixed with almonds. Also I do enjoy Glenfiddich 12 a lot, and I don't think I'm quite beginner, since I find myself enjoying also Springbank, Bunnahabhain or GlenAllachie. So, honestly, I think we need to get rid of that cliché of "beginner's whisky" :)
Fair point my friend, not saying anyone who enjoys this whisky is a beginner, but this is absolutely a beginners whisky compared to the others you mentioned.
It's important to provide beginners reference points to help them on their journey, which is my intent 😊
Cheers 🥃
In just my second year of whisky appreciation I bought the Glenfiddich 15 YO. And loved it. Then I quickly moved on to meatier drams. 7 years later, I appreciate that most single malts consumed are of this ilk. We whisky geeks are in the vast minority.
100%
So, if I understand you correctly: after drinking whisky for 47 years, the fact that I like this shows that I'm still a beginner? 😃
You don't have to be a beginner to drink a beginner's whisky! As someone who has been drinking whisky longer than I have been alive I have no place telling you anything about whisky Andrew 😂
Thank you for watching my friend 🥃
The only time I buy GF is to add to basic cheaper blends a elevate malt content, then a percentge of cask strength to bring everything up to 46.3% to 47.7% . Slainte !
Interesting!
I have a 15 year Non-chill filtered 52% ABV Distillery edition. So much better than what we have to put up with. Never buying Glenfiddich again unless I find another bottle of the Distillery Edition
I keep hearing that is the bottle to go for over this one. I am not surprised!
I was very disappointed in it .... difficult to really put my finger on ..wanting more ...however my first bottle of the 21st Havarna reserve was outrageous ..get that 1
Sounds like my experience was about the same as yours. The 15 is just lacklustre and “leaves you wanting more” is a good way to describe it. I have tried the 21-year-old as well and it’s definitely better than this one I agree.
The tragedy is, this version is absolutely awful when compared to its older bottlings. I would urge you to try and buy an older bottling (round tube) and compare. Mind you, the same can be said for the vast majority of whisky today. Lagavulin 16 is my number one example of deteriorating quality.
💯 on quite a lot of the mass produced stuff. Thankfully we are still blessed with other choices!
115 to 150$?!? That’s a steal
At $115 it is, based on what they normal ask for it, but you can get much better whiskies around that price or lower (Arran 10, Benromach 10, Bunnahabhain 12, GlenAllachie 12, Deanston 12, Speyburn 15) and excellent whiskies for $150 range that are light years better than this too (GlenDronach 15, Tamdhu 15, GlenAllachie 15, Redbreast 15, Oban 14, Glenfarclas 15)