If you like the sweet, smooth taste of bourbon like I do, I think you’re going to enjoy the Glenfiddich 14. This 14-year-old bottle of single malt scotch whiskey matured in bourbon barrels offers a unique and delicious drink for lovers of hard liquor (and it makes the perfect gift!)
Today, I’m going to talk about the Glenfiddich brand and what makes the Glenfiddich distillery special. I’ll give some specifics into the Glenfiddich 14 and show you how to best enjoy it. Cheers! Let’s dive in.
About the Glenfiddich Brand
It’s well worth mentioning what makes the Glenfiddich brand stand out. The Glenfiddich distillery has been operating since 1887, which is a lot of time to develop exceptional whiskey-making methods.
I’d like to share some information about the man responsible for Glenfiddich’s rise to fame and how Glenfiddich’s unique process for scotch whiskey production has earned them a highly respected place in the alcohol industry.
How Glenfiddich Rose to Fame
The Glenfiddich brand rose to fame because their founder, William Grant, was a very determined man. He and his family built their new distillery in Scotland with their own hands, laying out the stones and wood.
It was William’s idea for Glenfiddich to produce exceptional
What Special Methods Does Glenfiddich Use in Their Distillery?
Glenfiddich is unique from most scotch whiskey distilleries in Scotland in that they still use the copper stills William Grant insisted on back in 1887.
By consistently having copper smiths onsite working at the distillery since Charles Gordon (William’s great-grandson) insisted on them in 1957, Glenfiddich can keep the taste of their whiskey consistent through the years.
Also, barrel smiths work onsite to produce beautifully crafted charred oak casks for the whiskey to mature in, which adds to its flavor.
Special Releases
Being such an old distillery, Glenfiddich has released some special whiskey bottles over the decades that have been 50+ years old.
Every year now, Glenfiddich releases 50 bottles of 50-year-old whiskey in hand-blown bottles. Their most expensive release, the 55-year-old bottle of Janet Sheed Roberts, only had 11 bottles released worldwide.
This Scotch whisky pays tribute to the bourbon industry, and is aged 14 years in ex-bourbon barrels before being finished in new American Oak casks.
Pros and Cons to Glenfiddich 14
It’s always good to weigh your options, which is why I’ve made this pros and cons chart for Glenfiddich 14. In our eyes, the pros far outweigh the cons, but I understand sweeter whiskey that was matured in American oak bottles isn’t for everyone.
If you’re in doubt, check out this side-by-side comparison of what’s great vs. not so great.
Glenfiddich 14 at a Glance
In this section, I’ll give you a quick rundown on everything you need to know about what’s in a bottle of Glenfiddich 14.
The notes are complex, sweet, warm, and inviting. If you’re sold on this bottle of scotch whiskey or simply want to check it out for yourself, the link below will lead you to Glenfiddich’s website, where this product can be purchased.
- Alcohol Content: 43%
- Color: Copper Oak
- Taste: Sweet and creamy toffee, candied orange peel, woody spices, and freshly toasted oak
- Nose: Vanilla with a hint of citrus, caramelized brown sugar, cinnamon, baked apples, ripe fruits, and oak
- Finish: Lingering sweetness
- Type: Single malt
Ingredients in Glenfiddich 14
Just what gives Glenfiddich 14 its rich, creamy, and sweet flavors? The type of barrel used to mature the whiskey, American oak, gives it its sweet bourbon kick.
The American oak barrels previously held bourbon, which adds to the flavor. The other ingredients going into this bottle are:
- Barley
- Robbie Dhu spring water
- Yeast
That’s it! The complex notes come from heating and maturing the barley’s sugars in specific ways once they have been released from the grain.
How is Glenfiddich 14 Made?
This Scotch whisky pays tribute to the bourbon industry, and is aged 14 years in ex-bourbon barrels before being finished in new American Oak casks.
This is a perfect Segway into how Glenfiddich 14 is made at the Glenfiddich distillery. Several steps in producing this whiskey make it a genuinely historical find that uses methods passed down through the centuries.
Here’s how they get that individual Glenfiddich taste:
- Grounding barley into a fine powder and mixing it with Robbie Dhu spring water
- The ground barley and water are mashed together in mash tuns to release the barley’s sugars
- The sugary barley water, or wort, is drained, cooled, and pumped into huge copper fermentation vats.
- When the yeast is added and temperatures rise, the sugar converts into alcohol.
- The mixture is cooled and slowly heated again in wash stills so alcoholic vapor can be collected.
- The alcoholic vapor is collected, where it condenses, and then the process is repeated in 2 different-shaped spirit stills.
- Only American oak casks in top condition will be picked for the maturation process.
- The alcohol is mixed with spring water to give the mixture a 63.5% alcohol content.
- The American oak casks are filled with alcohol and spring water for maturation.
- These casks sit in damp, dark warehouses for many years, where warehousemen watch over them.
- The whiskey is emptied into oak, marrying tuns with other whiskeys from the same year.
- Once the whiskey has reached the desired taste, it can be mixed with a little more spring water and bottled.
Features of the Glenfiddich 14
I want to take a closer look into what makes the Glenfiddich 14 a coveted bottle of scotch whiskey. All the way across the world, avid scotch whiskey drinkers want to get their hands on a bottle of Glenfiddich whiskey. I’ll give you all the details on what makes this one so special.
Alcohol Type
Glenfiddich 14 is a single malt whiskey. In case you weren’t aware, single malt means that the whiskey in the bottle is made from whiskey produced in the same year.
When Glenfiddich workers put the Glenfiddich 14 whiskey in the oak marrying tuns to marry their flavors together, all the added whiskey was made 14 years ago. This adds to the purity of the whiskey.
Flavors and Aromas
Glenfiddich advertises that the most robust notes are vanilla, brown sugar, fresh pear, and apple. Fresh pear is a signature scent that is featured in all bottles of Glenfiddich whiskey.
You’ll be able to taste and smell fresh fruits, creamy and sugary candies, and the sweet oak barrel used for bourbon.
Vibrant vanilla notes on the nose turn to rich toffee notes on the tongue. You get the smell of baked apples, fresh fruits, and a hint of citrus, but then you’ll taste candied orange peel.
The Bottle
The glass bottle is shiny and transparent, allowing you to fully see the whiskey’s warm color. The blue cap is a screw-on lid that makes it easy to open and close and the bottle.
The Packaging and Branding
Every bottle of Glenfiddich alcohol features its deer head logo. Why? “Glenfiddich” means Valley of the Deer in Gaelic, which Scottish people used to speak more commonly hundreds of years ago.
With Glenfiddich 14, you’ll notice the warm copper color of the whiskey is paired with a gorgeous blue and metallic gold label. 1887, Glenfiddich’s founding year, is embossed on the front of the bottle.
The label at the bottom tells you all the details you need to know about what’s in the whiskey.
What Foods Does the Glenfiddich 14 Pair Well With?
There’s nothing quite like drinking whiskey with a charcuterie spread or an exceptionally delicious dinner. Some foods are known for pairing wonderfully with sweet whiskies like Glenfiddich 14. Our best recommendations for this are:
- Dark chocolate with a high cacao percentage
- Vanilla or almond shortbread cookies
- Plain crackers
- Bacon, onion, and Swiss cheese quiche
- Grilled steaks
- Smoked salmon
- Pecans, walnuts, almonds, and macadamia nuts
- Dried figs
- Fresh pomegranate, apple, and pear
How to Serve Glenfiddich 14
Since Glenfiddich 14 is a quality scotch whiskey, it deserves to be savored. There are a few different ways to do that, but our favorite is enjoying this drink the classic way. All you’ll need is your favorite whiskey glass and a drop of water.
Simply pour a few inches of Glenfiddich 14 in your whiskey glass to get the optimal ratio of whiskey-glass-air.
Swirl the whiskey in the cup and smell it before taking your first sip. After the first sip, add a single drop of the water to the Glenfiddich 14 and swirl it again.
Adding water releases even more flavors and aromas that were hidden without it. Although I recommend drinking the whiskey only a couple of inches at a time, refilling your glass is encouraged if you’re trying to enjoy the effects, too.
Alternatives to Glenfiddich 14
In this next segment, I’m going to briefly analyze some great alternatives to the Glenfiddich 14. Glenfiddich 14 is sweet, complex, has a bourbon kick, and has matured for 14 years.
Some of these other choices have similar qualities but also unique ones to set them apart. Let’s get into them.
Craigellachie 13
Best for: Price
About
This is the least expensive bottle of scotch whiskey on our list but is still excellent in terms of quality. Since this whiskey is a single malt, you can be sure every drop came from a batch prepared 13 years ago.
If you enjoy the taste of scotch whiskey that has been heated over a peat fire, the distinctive peat notes in this bottle will satisfy your craving.
- Price Range: $45-$55
- Alcohol Content: 46%
- Color: Honey gold
- Notes: Apples, peat, and rich, complex smokiness
- Type: Single malt
Pairs Well With
Some foods that would pair well with a smoky and peaty drink like Craigallechie 13 are:
- Mutton
- Lamb
- Veal
- Smoked salmon
- Smoked venison
- Blackened vegetables
Speyside whiskies are known to be fruity and floral, but as the bad boy of Speyside, Craigellachie defies with its oil-fired, rich character. Craigellachie 13 is matured in a mixture of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks.
Pros
- Least expensive
- 13 years old
- Complex peaty and smoky flavor with a hint of sweetness
Cons
- Not for people who prefer sweeter scotch whiskies
Lagavulin Distillers Edition 2003-2019
Best for: Sweetness
About
Lagavulin’s bottle of scotch whiskey is 16 years old, being prepared in 2003 and then bottled in 2019. Many sweet, dessert-like notes are hidden within the depths of this dark amber liquid, which will come out even stronger by adding a drop of water into your glass.
This is another scotch whiskey that tastes peaty because of the way it was made and smoky due to the barrels it matured in.
- Price Range: $110-$130
- Alcohol Content: 43%
- Color: Dark amber
- Notes: Peat, vanilla, raisins, smokiness, coffee, fruit, and an earthy flavor
- Type: Single malt
Pairs Well With
A sweet and peaty scotch whiskey like the Lagavulin Distiller’s Edition 2003-2019 pairs well with:
- Dark chocolate with a high cacao percentage
- Crisp shortbread cookies
- Smoked salmon
- Grilled steak
- Pecans, walnuts, and macadamia nuts
- Brie
- Camembert
Pros
- Sweet and peaty notes
- Gorgeous dark amber color
- 16 years old
Cons
- Over $100
Talisker 10 Yr Old
Best for: Spice flavors
About
Some of us enjoy scotch whiskey that has a little extra bite from spice. That’s exactly what you’ll get in the Talisker 10 Yr Old bottle.
This is a
- Price Range: $75-$85
- Alcohol Content: 45.8%
- Color: Amber
- Notes: Malt, spice, fruits, and rich smokiness
- Type: Single malt
Pairs Well With
Spicy and smoky scotch whiskies like the Talisker 10 Yr Old pair well with:
- Blue cheese
- Gorgonzola cheese
- Stilton cheese
- Crisp, plain crackers
- Brisket
Talisker Single Malt Whisky is made from malted barley sourced from the Muir of Ord, a village in Highland, Scotland. The barley is lightly peated to approximately 18 phenol parts per million, which contributes a slightly smoky flavor profile to the whisky. 
Pros
- 16 years old
- Single malt
- Under $100
Cons
- Not everyone enjoys spicy scotch
Laphroaig 10 CS Batch 9
Best for: Luxury
About
If you’re willing to spend a pretty penny on a high-quality bottle of scotch whiskey, consider the Laphroaig 10 CS Batch 9. To decode that name, this bottle contains scotch whiskey that has matured for 10 years.
And this is the 9th batch that has been released. This drink has the highest alcohol content out of all the options on our list, with an alcohol content percentage of 58.1%.
- Price Range: $1,900-$2,100
- Alcohol Content: 58.1%
- Color: Pale gold
- Notes: Rich smokiness, mango, salt, lemon, pear, seaweed, and iodine
- Type: Single malt
Pairs Well With
A smoky, salty, sweet, and complex scotch whiskey like the Laphroaig 10 CS Batch 9 pairs well with:
- Dark chocolate with a high percentage of cacao
- Veal
- Honey glazed ham
- Goat cheese
- Plain crisp crackers
- Apples and pears
Laphroaig Single Malt Whisky is one of the most flavorful and intense whiskies made anywhere in the world. During Prohibition, it was one of the few whiskies still legally imported into the United States, as it was considered a medicinal spirit. Laphroaig Single Malt is made from the finest Scottish barley, which is malted at the distillery and dried over a peat flame. 
Pros
- High-quality
- Single malt
- Complex profile of notes
Cons
- Pricy
FAQs
Lastly, I want to answer your most frequently asked questions on the web about Glenfiddich 14 and the Glenfiddich brand.
This is a top-tier whiskey brand that I love sharing about, so if you have any more questions, please don’t hesitate to ask in the comment section below. I’ll get back to you with a response as soon as I’m able to.
Answer: Glenfiddich 14 is not peaty because it isn’t made by being heated over a peat fire. Peat fires, which some distilleries swear by, are what give some scotch whiskies their peaty flavor.
Glenfiddich does not employ this method for making their alcohol, which is why you won’t taste peat. Instead, you’ll get sugary, fruity, and oaky notes throughout the drink.
Answer: Glenfiddich 14 is perfect for a couple reasons. Glenfiddich is a highly reputable distillery in Scotland that has been in operation since 1887.
You don’t stay around that long without doing something right. Glenfiddich 14 is aged 14 years, which gives it a mature flavor. Being matured in American oak casks that previously held bourbon gives it richness and depth.
Answer: Glenfiddich 14 does have smokey notes throughout it. This is because the American oak casks Glenfiddich 14 is matured in are burned inside before the alcohol is added. Burning the casks lets them strongly release the aroma and flavors of oak, giving Glenfiddich 14 distinct smokiness.
Answer: Glenfiddich 14 is certified Kosher, which makes it okay to drink when the rules of kashrut are being observed. Glenfiddich 14 is only made from pareve foods, which include barley and yeast.
In Conclusion
Do you feel ready to sit back with a quality glass of scotch whiskey in your hand and relax? I am! I’ve gotten to go over all the best features that make up Glenfiddich 14 and provide some insight into the Glenfiddich brand.
I also got to explore what foods pair well with Glenfiddich 14, so you can throw a party that knocks everyone’s expectations out of the park and learn about alternatives to Glenfiddich 14.
Have you ever tried this sweet scotch whiskey, or do you have any more questions about Glenfiddich 14? Please let me know in the comment section below! For even more great reviews of quality whiskey brands, check out our review of the Balvenie 17 Doublewood!
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