Glenfiddich has partnered with travel retailer Heinemann Duty Free to unveil the prestigious Glenfiddich 1977 Rare Collection Cask No. 15176. A single cask, aged for 40 years, this exquisite expression will be available to consumers from January 2018 travelling through Kuala Lumpur and Sydney airports. A launch event was held on 20th February 2018 at the Kittyhawk, organized by Agent 99 Public Relations.
Exclusive to Heinemann and its partners, just 150 bottles will be available for sale retailing at an RRP of AUD 4,352. Created as part of the Glenfiddich Rare Collection Programme, this single cask has been nurtured by Glenfiddich’s Malt Master, Brian Kinsman, who hand-selects only a small number of exceptional casks for the esteemed collection.
Mr. Kinsman commented, “Put into an American Oak Refill Hogshead cask 40 years ago, this is an exceptional whisky of rare character and complexity. Only a small number of casks are chosen for the Rare Collection and I am delighted to have selected this particular whisky for consumers to enjoy via Heinemann Duty Free and its partners.”
Richard Goodman, Head of Operations at Heinemann Tax & Duty Free, said: “We’re proud to continue our successful partnership with William Grant & Sons in this region. The exclusive product and customer experience are truly unique to our store, and we are excited to continuously elevate the travel retail experience at Sydney International Airport”.
Presentation is in a clear bottle to showcase the colour of the whisky, with a visible cork and hand applied temper evident strip. Each bottle is individually numbered to add collectability and guarantee authenticity, while the label highlights the “Heinemann Duty Free & Partners” exclusivity.
As a whisky lover, you know you are in for a real treat when you are offered a dram of distillery bottling Glenfiddich 40 years old single cask. Here’s my wee tasting notes on this…
Whisky Review:
Glenfiddich 1977 Rare Collection Single Cask (Exclusive for Heinemann Duty Free & Partners)
Style: Composed and Complex
Nose:
Beautiful golden malt, perfumed tropical fruits with a soft touch of wood smoke at its tail. Cereal grain, comfortable leather notes nicely accompanied by fresh and baked apples. A hint of green freshness can be found here, very nice. I am nosing from a tall wine glass (sorry no tasting glass or glencairn) here, the aroma is fainter than usual but overall a very balanced one.
Palate:
Oatmeal with more red and green apple slices on the front palate. Honeycomb, another touch of leather. Fragrant fruits supported by courteous oak and some dry barley. Cinnamon bark lightly torched, anise (maybe?) and nutmeg. Subtle dried figs emerges at the back. Oakiness slowly building up after multiple sips. Faint perfume notes return and hazelnut chocolate to finish.
Finish:
Stewed pineapple and papaya with a light smoky tail. Dried prunes, chocolate milkshake to finish.
Thoughts:
While a mere 22ml serve served in a tall wine glass is very challenging for me to whip up a proper review, but I am also very lucky given how rare (also read “expensive”) an OB Glenfiddich 40 is these days. A beautifully composed malt. Balanced on all fronts, subtle on delivery with elements breathing rather freely. Maybe an extra little magic can make it from good to great, nonetheless it deliveries right on spec – fares exactly what you would expect from a 40yo Glenfiddich single cask. A very nice dram. Close to 2 stars.
☆ [Recommended]
[43.3% • Original Bottling • 2017 Bottled • 1977 Distilled • Aged 40 Years • Single Cask • Cask Strength • Non Chill Filtered • Non Coloured • Cask Strength • Cask Number: 15176 • Matured in American Oak Refill Hogshead • 150 Bottles • *]
-Esmond
WhiskNick 