Glenfiddich 12 Years Caoran Reserve No Box 40% NV

Professional reviews

Serge Valentin (75)

Some early in-cask blended single malt, as this baby was partly finished in ex-peater casks. It is still bearing the original label, with a 'Pure Single Malt' mention on the neck. I remember the method was very controversial back then, but today everyone does it. Quite. Colour: gold. Nose: dry, you'd almost believe you're nosing an old coal pit, and certainly an old ashtray. It's not that it is very smoky, but the profile is very unusual, acrid, rather unpleasant. A little burnt rubber, hay smoke. I think I used to like it a little better back in the days. Mouth: not quite indeed. Rubber, smoked papers, ashes, fireplace, apple juice, old beer, taste of glass, burnt herbs… Finish: medium, green, gritty, curiously salty. Comments: it's got some good sides, but I'm not sure it kept well in its dazzling silver-labelled bottle, as if the smoke ate the fruits – which is rather the opposite of what happens with a regular peaty whisky (Laphroaig and buddies).