Review: Glenfiddich 14 Year Old Bourbon Barrel Reserve

Glenfiddich 14 Year Old Bourbon Barrel Reserve
Image credit: Elias Aoude / One More Dram.

Glenfiddich 14 Year Old Bourbon Barrel Reserve was introduced a little over two years ago, joining the 12, 15, 18 and 21 year olds as a permanent addition to Glenfiddich’s core line-up of whiskies. Unlike the 12, 15, and 18 year olds, which are matured in a combination of ex-bourbon and sherry casks, or the 21 year old, which is finished in Caribbean rum casks, Glenfiddich 14 Year Old Bourbon Barrel Reserve is matured entirely in ex-bourbon American Oak and finished in deep charred new American Oak casks. This process lends the whisky a sweeter profile with more Bourbon forward characteristics, but does it do so without overwhelming the classic Glenfiddich spirit?

Glenfiddich 14 Year Old Bourbon Barrel Reserve Specifications:

  • Spirit: Scotch.
  • Classification: Single Malt.
  • Region: Speyside.
  • Age: 14 Years Old.
  • ABV: 43% (86 Proof).
  • Cask Type: Matured in ex-bourbon American Oak and finished in deep charred new American Oak casks.
  • NCF (Non-Chill Filtered)? No.
  • Natural Color? No.
  • Price Paid: $49.99 for 750 mL.

Tasting Notes:

  • Color: Burnished amber.
  • Nose: Fruit (pears, apples, citrus), vanilla, oak.
  • Palate: Creamy. Fresh pears, stewed fruit (apples, peaches), citrus (orange), vanilla, toasted oak, milk chocolate.
  • Finish: Short-medium length. Malty. More fruit, vanilla, toasted oak, milk chocolate. Caramel, toffee, brown sugar, black pepper.

This would make a great introductory bottle for Bourbon drinkers beginning to explore Scotch. The sweeter notes imparted by finishing in deep charred new American Oak casks don’t overwhelm the core Glenfiddich spirit, but instead compliment it to create a wonderfully balanced, easy drinking whisky with moderate complexity. At MSRP, this is also one of the best values in it’s price range.

Rating: B (83–86%).

A Second Opinion:

My cousin Jayson and I frequently participate in bottle splits and share samples of new releases. When possible, I’ll share his tasting notes alongside mine.


Jayson’s Notes:

  • Color: Burnished.
  • Nose: Fruity. Apple, banana, some cinnamon. Not super complex.
  • Palate: Fruity, creamy, malty, vanilla, pepper, oak. Really nice. Not as fruity as the standard 12 year old.
  • Finish: Honey, vanilla, more pepper. Short-medium finish. Nice balance.

This is surprisingly good. Better than the 12 and 15 year old. Clear profile of the malt. Well balanced and easy sipping. At $50, I highly recommend it.

Jayson’s Rating: B- (80–82%).

8 Comments

  • Glen says:

    Not just ex bourbon barrels but first fill bourbon barrels

    • Elias Aoude says:

      Hey Glen! Can you provide a source that states Glenfiddich is using first-fill bourbon barrels? My bottle and their website make no mention of the barrels being first-fill.

  • Bryan Young says:

    If it was first fill bourbon barrels then it would be bourbon

    • Bryan Young says:

      I guess it would also have to be in the USA to be bourbon too but whatever that’s a dumb rule for bourbon but this ain’t it

    • Elias Aoude says:

      Maturation in first fill bourbon barrels doesn’t make the spirit bourbon. A first fill bourbon barrel is a barrel that was used once prior to mature bourbon. A significant percentage of scotch is matured in bourbon barrels. Bourbon itself has to be matured in virgin (new) oak casks.

    • Fozzie the Bear says:

      sorry…. bourbon has to be a mash bill of at least 51% corn, The Scots use primarily barley as their mashbills. Almost all Scotches are matured in barrels that once housed other spirits or wines, cognacs etc…. 1st fill Barrells are not unheard of but are very rare for scotch.

  • Bruce says:

    Purchased a bottle at Christmas time. It was awesome. Bought another June 20/21, it was awe full. Couldn’t if tell it was scotch

    • Elias Aoude says:

      Have you tried reaching out to Glenfiddich? It sounds like you may have received a corked or contaminated bottle.

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