Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix 47.6% NV

Distillery	Glenfiddich
Bottler	OB
Serie	Snow Phoenx
Bottled for
Distilled date	Not Specified
Bottling date	2010
Country	Scotland
Region	Speyside
Age
Cask Type	American Oak & Oloroso Sherry Casks
Cask Number
Alcohol percentage	47.6
Volume	0,70
Condition	In original container
Label	Perfect
Stock	0
Volume	0,70
Condition	In original container
Label	Perfect
Stock	0

Professional reviews

Serge Valentin (84)

Colour: pale gold.

Nose: seriously, it’s not extremely different from the Mackinlay at first nosing, which really surprises me. Sure it’s a little rounder and less sooty but other than that, it’s also a rather big and nervous malt whisky. The development is rather different, though, with more oranges and ripe apples, but the grassiness is rather similar. They really diverge after ten minutes, this one becoming lighter (but it’s no light whisky), fruitier and, in essence, ‘younger’.

Mouth: this is punchy! The oak’s relatively big while the spirit is relatively light, but the combination works in my opinion. Quite malty and very ‘malt whisky’ (I know that sounds silly but I think it’s a profile that’s ‘right in the middle’ – oh well…), with also notes that are often to be found in the aged versions of Glenfiddich, between beeswax, honey, nutmeg, wood polish… Also cartloads of apples (ripe, overripe, cooked, dried…)

Finish: medium long, rather soft and, just like the Shackleton, rather fruitier. More apples and touches of pears – I often find pears in Glenfiddich.

Comments: very good, I believe it shows to a fairly ‘general’ public that there’s something else behind the ‘easier’ core range. Something that the 15yo CS already did in the past.

Gal Granov (85)

Nose : Apples pears is butter. Malt and honey some vanilla. A cookers delight.

Palate: Oak , malt honey and some spice. Again quite buttery. Nuts and sugar as well as baked apples.

Finish : malty nutty. Baked apples.


Bottom line:

I am not a huge Glenfiddich fan, and i had high expectations from this bottle, as i heard it was good from more than one person… At first tasting i was a bit disappointed with it, but on second tasting, it appealed to me more, and i really began to enjoy it. It’s not a standard Glenfiddich, and it’s well made. There are some older casks inside – up to 30 years. The packaging is interesting, and surly would look good on your shelf, that’s for sure. It’s very good, yet not great.

BOW (84)

Angus McRaild, Whiskyfun:

I remember people were doing a fair bit of sniggering when this came out given that the story had a whiff of opportunism about it. However, I remember liking the whisky itself at the time and I don't think I ever tried it since, so let's correct that right now. Colour: pale gold. Nose: you do indeed get the impression there was a fair mix of ages involved. There's quite a few varieties of honey, brioche, crystallised citrus peels, candied hazelnuts, plum eau de vie, straw and linens. I find it a very attractive and easy nose. Mouth: the ABV works well here as I find so often with OB Glenfiddichs that the measly bottling strengths hurt them. Here's there's an oiliness to the mouthfeel with impressions of malt syrup, bergamot, lanolin and green apple peelings which all works very well. Some lemon cough drops, farmhouse cider and a few crunchy cereals. Indeed, it feels almost like a more rustic style of Glenfiddich. Mind you, what's more rustic than a collapsed warehouse roof? Finish: medium and rather peppery, nicely sweet, more of these robust and toasty cereal notes and some citrons. Comments: I still like it, quite a lot in fact. It feels like a full-bodied, extremely 'pop the cork and go' type of Glenfiddich. The ABV does a lot of heavy lifting here, but the assemblage of ages also feels pretty smart.

Angus McRaild (84)

I remember people were doing a fair bit of sniggering when this came out given that the story had a whiff of opportunism about it. However, I remember liking the whisky itself at the time and I don't think I ever tried it since, so let's correct that right now. Colour: pale gold. Nose: you do indeed get the impression there was a fair mix of ages involved. There's quite a few varieties of honey, brioche, crystallised citrus peels, candied hazelnuts, plum eau de vie, straw and linens. I find it a very attractive and easy nose. Mouth: the ABV works well here as I find so often with OB Glenfiddichs that the measly bottling strengths hurt them. Here's there's an oiliness to the mouthfeel with impressions of malt syrup, bergamot, lanolin and green apple peelings which all works very well. Some lemon cough drops, farmhouse cider and a few crunchy cereals. Indeed, it feels almost like a more rustic style of Glenfiddich. Mind you, what's more rustic than a collapsed warehouse roof? Finish: medium and rather peppery, nicely sweet, more of these robust and toasty cereal notes and some citrons. Comments: I still like it, quite a lot in fact. It feels like a full-bodied, extremely 'pop the cork and go' type of Glenfiddich. The ABV does a lot of heavy lifting here, but the assemblage of ages also feels pretty smart.