Glenfiddich Courts Wine Aficionados With 31-Year ‘Grand Château’ Scotch Finished in Bordeaux Casks

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Earlier this month, famed scotch distiller Glenfiddich debuted that latest bottling in its coveted Grand Series. While the previous iteration recruited Awamori casks from Japan, this year's release dipped into France with the help of Bordeaux wine. Grand Château was matured in American oak casks for 22 years before finishing in Bordeaux red wine barrels for an additional nine years. The nearly decades-long finishing process is unprecedented in the spirits industry. Typically, "finished" spirits spend as little as a year or less inside their final cask type. The fusion of flavors is intended as a tribute to the Fiddich River that winds through the fields of Speyside. As the brand imagines it, water flows out from the Fiddich, across the Atlantic Ocean and into the eastern ports of Bordeaux. We won't waste time questioning exactly how much of that water makes its way over — one way or another, Grand Château aims to bridge the divide.

“Bordeaux red wine casks are incredibly versatile sources of flavor and widely recognized for their outstanding quality, providing the perfect opportunity for experimentation to develop a profound spirit," malt master Brian Kinsman remarked in a news release. "Nine years spent cocooned in Bordeaux red wine casks results in an exceptionally vibrant liquid."

The 47.6%-ABV release is said to balance nutty aromas with flavors of caramelized cherries, apples and warming spice. Those hoping to pick up the drop can find bottles at a suggested price of $2,100 in luxury outlets across the U.S. The package is complete with one of two limited-edition boxes designed by French artist André Saraiva. The version that most consumers will find at retail features a colorful watercolor on the interior depicting barrels in transit from the Glenfiddich distillery. A second version — limited to just 24 units in the U.S. — showcases a traditional Toile de Jouy print. Image may be NSFW.
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“Glenfiddich Grand Château is a stunning addition to our Grand Series, as the Bordeaux casks intensify the liquid’s classic character with notes of deep oak and vanilla,” Lorne Cousin, U.S. National Ambassador for Glenfiddich, said. “This new expression further emphasizes our dedication to pushing the boundaries to create highly dynamic and unique spirits, while also bringing the rich history of Speyside and Bordeaux together in an unusual way.”

Glenfiddich Grand Château Tasting Notes, Per the Brand

• Nose: "Fruity, floral aromas of beautifully ripe cassis berries, complemented by piquant nutty aromas"
• Taste: "Slowly caramelized cherries and apples that intertwine with an unmistakable warming spice and the subtle presence of toasted oak"
• Finish: "Everlasting with great depth of character"

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