Glenfiddich has unveiled Grand Château, the latest addition to its limited edition Grand Series. The 31 year old whisky is first by the distillery to use red wine casks from the Bordeaux region, for its secondary maturation.
The marriage brings together the character of the Speyside single malt with the opulent, rich flavours imparted by the red wine casks.
The Grand Château began life as a classic Glenfiddich single malt, matured in American oak for 22 years, before being transferred to Bordeaux red wine casks for nine years.
Renowned for their richness and complexity, these French oak barrels are said to imbue the whisky with lush, fruity undertones.
Renowned for their richness, complexity, and versatility, Bordeaux French oak barrels are said to imbue the whisky with lush, fruity undertones…
According to Brian Kinsman, Glenfiddich’s Malt Master, this extended finishing period is crucial to unlocking the full potential of the Bordeaux casks.
“Bordeaux red wine casks are incredibly versatile sources of flavour and recognised widely for their outstanding quality, providing the perfect opportunity for experimentation to develop a profound spirit,” says Kinsman.
“Although wine is becoming an increasingly popular choice for maturation within the single malt category, it remains relatively rare to see whiskies finished in a Bordeaux red wine cask, making this an incredibly intriguing and collectable bottling.”
Glenfiddich Grand Château tasting notes
On the nose, this opulent whisky is said to offer aromas of warm vanilla, followed by layers of fruit and floral complexity. On the palate, sippers can expect notes of caramelised cherries and apples, along with a sweetness, balanced by warming spices and the influence of toasted oak.
Mouthfeel is said to be silky, and the exit long and lingering, with a lasting sense of warmth and richness.
As part of The Glenfiddich Grand Series, the Grand Château joins an intriguing collection of whiskies that celebrate the intersection of cultures. Previous expressions in the series have included the Grand Yozakura, finished in rare Japanese Awamori casks; the Grand Couronne, with its elegant French Cognac finish; and the Gran Reserva, which took its final flourish from Caribbean Rum casks.
To launch this new limited edition, Glenfiddich has collaborated with French artist André Saraiva whose signature artwork adorns the packaging. Only 250 bottles will be released.
Bottled at 47.6% ABV, the Glenfiddich Grand Château retails for £1,550, and is available from The Whisky Exchange.
Bruichladdich Distillery has unveiled the latest chapter in its Octomore experiment, with three super-heavily peated single malts exploring Scottish barley, Islay provenance and a diverse selection of casks. The Octomore 17 Series, now in its 17th year, examines the relationship between barley origin, peat and maturation, with limited quantities created from specific harvests and cask…
The Glendronach is celebrating its 200th anniversary with a limited-edition, three cask single malt inspired by the Highland home where the distillery’s story began. The 14 Year Old Glendronach Boynsmill House Edition pays tribute to Boynsmill Estate, where James Allardice founded The Glendronach in 1826. The distillery sits in the Valley of the Brambles in…
Loch Lomond Whiskies has unveiled a 31 Year Old single malt, the distillery’s oldest peated whisky to date. The new expression takes its name from the challenging trail between Inversnaid and Inverarnan on the north-east shores of the loch. The route forms one of the more demanding sections of the West Highland Way, passing through…
The Luxe Review 
Glenfiddich has unveiled Grand Château, the latest addition to its limited edition Grand Series. The 31 year old whisky is first by the distillery to use red wine casks from the Bordeaux region, for its secondary maturation.
The marriage brings together the character of the Speyside single malt with the opulent, rich flavours imparted by the red wine casks.
The Grand Château began life as a classic Glenfiddich single malt, matured in American oak for 22 years, before being transferred to Bordeaux red wine casks for nine years.
Renowned for their richness and complexity, these French oak barrels are said to imbue the whisky with lush, fruity undertones.
According to Brian Kinsman, Glenfiddich’s Malt Master, this extended finishing period is crucial to unlocking the full potential of the Bordeaux casks.
“Bordeaux red wine casks are incredibly versatile sources of flavour and recognised widely for their outstanding quality, providing the perfect opportunity for experimentation to develop a profound spirit,” says Kinsman.
“Although wine is becoming an increasingly popular choice for maturation within the single malt category, it remains relatively rare to see whiskies finished in a Bordeaux red wine cask, making this an incredibly intriguing and collectable bottling.”
Glenfiddich Grand Château tasting notes
On the nose, this opulent whisky is said to offer aromas of warm vanilla, followed by layers of fruit and floral complexity. On the palate, sippers can expect notes of caramelised cherries and apples, along with a sweetness, balanced by warming spices and the influence of toasted oak.
Mouthfeel is said to be silky, and the exit long and lingering, with a lasting sense of warmth and richness.
As part of The Glenfiddich Grand Series, the Grand Château joins an intriguing collection of whiskies that celebrate the intersection of cultures. Previous expressions in the series have included the Grand Yozakura, finished in rare Japanese Awamori casks; the Grand Couronne, with its elegant French Cognac finish; and the Gran Reserva, which took its final flourish from Caribbean Rum casks.
To launch this new limited edition, Glenfiddich has collaborated with French artist André Saraiva whose signature artwork adorns the packaging. Only 250 bottles will be released.
Bottled at 47.6% ABV, the Glenfiddich Grand Château retails for £1,550, and is available from The Whisky Exchange.
Bruichladdich pushes the boundaries of peat with Octomore 17 Series whiskies
Bruichladdich Distillery has unveiled the latest chapter in its Octomore experiment, with three super-heavily peated single malts exploring Scottish barley, Islay provenance and a diverse selection of casks. The Octomore 17 Series, now in its 17th year, examines the relationship between barley origin, peat and maturation, with limited quantities created from specific harvests and cask…
Glendronach 14 Year Old Boynsmill House Edition is a sherry-matured whisky with a claret twist
The Glendronach is celebrating its 200th anniversary with a limited-edition, three cask single malt inspired by the Highland home where the distillery’s story began. The 14 Year Old Glendronach Boynsmill House Edition pays tribute to Boynsmill Estate, where James Allardice founded The Glendronach in 1826. The distillery sits in the Valley of the Brambles in…
Loch Lomond unveils its oldest peated single malt whisky to date, 31 years in the making
Loch Lomond Whiskies has unveiled a 31 Year Old single malt, the distillery’s oldest peated whisky to date. The new expression takes its name from the challenging trail between Inversnaid and Inverarnan on the north-east shores of the loch. The route forms one of the more demanding sections of the West Highland Way, passing through…
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