Glenfiddich has fiddled a lot with the name of its 21 year-old. First it had an explicit “Havana reserve” nickname. That turned out to be a disadvantage on the US market, so it became “Gran Reserva”. Now it’s simply the Glenfiddich 21 years old with a small print explaining the Caribbean rum finish.

The recently launched 2012 edition is presented in the new, bulkier Glenfiddich bottle and a larger box. It’s probably also a new batch of casks but for now we’re trying the old 2010/2011 edition.

Glenfiddich 21 yo
(40%, OB 2010, Caribbean rum finish)

Nose: a very pleasant nose packed with fruits: fresh oranges, pineapple candy… Typical banana aromas as well, but well integrated. Like tropical fruit chewing gum. Hints of vanilla and toffee. Nice, but 21 years old really? Mouth: quite soft, very smooth. It takes a while before the oak hits in and it regains some punch. Sweet barley. Plenty of spices (ginger, cinnamon, mint) – in the end it becomes rather oaky. Hints of leather. Finish: medium length, gentle with oranges and warming spices.

I enjoyed the nose, which benefits from the rum without overdoing it. On the palate it’s strangely soft (ditch the 40% for higher end bottlings, guys!) and oaky at the same time. Mixed bag. Around € 90. The 2012 version seems a little more expensive.

Score: 82/100