The newest expression in the Glenfiddich Experimental Series Fuses Sweet and Smoky: Peated Whisky Finished in Rum Casks
Today, Glenfiddich – the world’s most awarded single malt Scotch whisky – launches the fourth and newest 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 ran peated spirit through the Glenfiddich stills for the first time in 2003, birthing the concept. Fire & Cane boldly marries smoky whisky with non-peated whisky 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 married whisky in Latin rum casks, sourced from various South American countries, for three months to produce a surprising and unexpected overlay of flavors 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 Glenfiddich Malt Master Brian Kinsman. “During the tastings, some experienced the unusual smoky notes, while others tasted toffee flavors – 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.”
The fire aspect comes from the peat used in the malting process gathered in Speyside, which yields an explosion of campfire smokiness with oak and peaty notes, finished with lingering woodiness. The cane aspect 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 liquid and drive sweetness. Furthermore, by exclusively using naturally sweet American oak – sourced from the Kelvin Cooperage in Louisville, Kentucky – Fire & Cane is certified kosher.
Glenfiddich Experimental Series combines the brand’s passion for pushing Scotch whisky boundaries while unlocking new possibilities in the true spirit of experimentation. Other releases in the series include the Glenfiddich India Pale Ale Cask Finish, Glenfiddich Project XX and Glenfiddich Winter Storm.
Bottled at 43% ABV, Glenfiddich Fire & Cane is now available with a suggested retail price of $49.99/750ml at premium bars and liquor stores nationally. Fire & Cane comes in a colored glass that seamlessly transitions from a black/brown base to clear glass, displaying the world’s best-selling single malt Scotch whisky. The bottle was designed to showcase the juxtaposing flavors physically with the shift in color.
For more information, visit https://www.glenfiddich.com.
Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch Whisky, ©2018 Imported by William Grant & Sons. New York, NY. Skillfully crafted, Enjoy responsibly.
TASTING NOTES:
FIRE:
· NOSE: Billowing soft peat notes, like distant smoke carried on the wind
· TASTE: An explosion of smoke, like a campfire built with Highland peat (but no medicinal Island notes). Overlaid with oak notes and deep toffee
· FINISH: Lingering smokiness
· KEY NOTES: Campfire smoke
CANE
· NOSE: Lots of rich sweet toffee with some zesty fresh fruit notes and a lively spiciness
· TASTE: A core of classic green fruit character, with the deep sweetness of baked apple and toasted marshmallow. Overlaid with soft smoke and wood spice
· FINISH: Long-lasting sweetness
· KEY NOTES: Sweet toffee
ABOUT GLENFIDDICH SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY
Glenfiddich – the world’s most awarded and best-selling single malt Scotch whisky – is run by the fifth generation of the Grant-Gordon family and today is one of the few remaining family-owned and operated distillers. From dream to dram, the Glenfiddich journey began in 1886 when founder, William Grant, realized his dream of creating the ‘best dram in the valley’ in Dufftown, Scotland. Equipped with distilling expertise, gained after working 20 years at the Mortlach distillery, Grant purchased the necessary tools for the job and he found his premises in the beautiful nearby field of Glenfiddich, Gaelic for ‘valley of the deer’ that also included a pure water source provided by the Robbie Dhu Spring, a vital ingredient in the production of quality whisky. The Glenfiddich distillery was born on Christmas Day 1887, when spirit first flowed from the Glenfiddich stills. The combination of crystal clear water from the spring, home-grown barley, pure Highland air and the unusually small size of the stills, produced an unrivalled single malt Scotch whisky.
Today Glenfiddich continues to be a progressive spirit in challenging malt whisky conventions while also staying true to legacy, by keeping traditional production techniques established by founder, William Grant. The Glenfiddich core ranges includes: Glenfiddich 12 Year Old (SRP: $39.99), Glenfiddich 15 Year Old (SRP: $59.99), Glenfiddich 18 Year Old (SRP: $99.99), Glenfiddich 21 Year Old (SRP: $179.99) and Glenfiddich 26 Year Old (SRP: $ 499.99). Glenfiddich also produces limited edition bottles, such as Glenfiddich The Original (launched 2014), and a range of some of the oldest and finest vintage cask and private vintage marques in the world. For further information visit www.glenfiddich.com.
ABOUT WILLIAM GRANT & SONS
William Grant & Sons Holdings Ltd is an independent family-owned distiller headquartered in the United Kingdom and founded by William Grant in 1887. Today, the global premium spirits company is run by the fifth generation of his family and distils some of the world’s leading brands of Scotch whisky, including the world’s most awarded single malt Glenfiddich®, The Balvenie® range of handcrafted single malts and the world’s third largest blended Scotch, Grant’s®, as well as other iconic spirits brands such as Hendrick’s® Gin, Sailor Jerry® Spiced Rum, Tullamore D.E.W.® Irish Whiskey, Monkey Shoulder® Blended Malt Scotch Whisky and Drambuie® Scotch Liqueur.
William Grant & Sons has been honored as “Distiller of the Year” by the prestigious International Wine & Spirit Competition and International Spirits Challenge 11 times over the past 12 years.
Founded in 1964, William Grant & Sons USA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of William Grant & Sons, Ltd. and features one of the fastest growing spirits portfolios in the USA with brands including Glenfiddich, The Balvenie, Hendrick’s Gin, Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey, Drambuie, Milagro Tequila, Grant’s, Hudson Whiskey, Gibson’s Finest, Monkey Shoulder, Clan MacGregor, Reyka Vodka, Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur, Montelobos Mezcal, Ancho Reyes, Flor de Caña Rum, The Knot and Raynal French Brandy. For more information on the company and its brands, please visitwww.grantusa.com.