Have you ever felt that the most unappealing of casks is probably the Ex-Bourbon cask? You know… those casks that have previously aged American spirits (Bourbon); used, re-used and possibly abused due to their relatively cheap pricing and easy availability. I mean how much can a newly distilled spirit garner from a barrel that’s already been used to impart colour and bourbon goodness for years, even if it’s been re-toasted or re-charred.

Or so i thought, until I stumbled across some interesting contestants, like the Glenmorangie Elementa, Paul John Nirvana, some of the more outgoing Islays like the Ardbeg 10 and the Laphroaig 10 (just to name a few). And in all honesty, these to me felt more lively, robust and genuine than many other spirits that were a marriage of spirits from a combination of other casks.

The 14 YO Bourbon cask is Glenfiddich’s foray into all things exbourbon! Now, the question is if the folks have truly embodied what an exbourbon cask can deliver and whether it lives up to the Fiddich name!

ABv : 40%

Eye : Deep gold | Artificial Colouring

Nose : Light hints of vanilla and milk chocolate; honey with some orange zest.  Raisins, mild nuances of charred cantaloupe along with a hint of brine, leather, white pepper and wood.

Taste : The fain char of melons with a handsome drizzle of caramel and cinnamon, subtle notes of oak, bananas, dates, peaches with some earthiness fused with bits of cardamom and spice.

Finish : Cinnamon again with vanilla and spiced, woodied notes | Medium

This 14 YO blue packaged Fiddich provides for a nice, distinguished and enveloping nose with good depth and sweet, tropical flavours, filling the room with a lovely hue of cinnamon and bourbon. On the palate, it shows off with a comforting mouth feel, coating the walls with cinnamon and woody sweetness. It does lack that punch in terms of breadth and possibly the desire for some more complexity. The finish is an extension, pulling in some of the charred characteristics from the nose and palate.

At AUD $110, this is a decent whisky though a touch expensive for a standard strength whisky. This one is ideal for the novice or even for the average whisky drinker. It is subtle, sweet and smooth, retaining the traditional Glenfiddich characteristics, showing good maturity, while also reflecting what exbourbon aging is all about!

At 40% abv, the whisky doesn’t need dilution, but if you wish, possibly a splash of water; and then – sip, swirl and swallow!

Slainte!