It’s been a cold fall since I last posted my friends, and I come with a heavy heart to say it may be an even longer and colder winter until I post again, lest I begin my long dreaded run of reviews along the bottom of the liquor store shelves, with the likes of Black Velvet among others. I shudder at the thought of taking a peet from the bottle to which I pledged my drunken youth, but perhaps some dreary days are good to be revisited, for a reminder if only to cherish the small drams of great whiskey we are treated to today.
Glenfidditch Solera 15 Single Malt
Dufftown Banfshire, Scotland
$59.99
40% / 80 Proof
Nose - Off the top immediately as I bring the glass to my face I get wafting fruity notes: banana, apple crisp, maraschino cherries with light notes of cinnamon sticks and freshly baked pastries. A very dessert scented vesche indeed.
Palate - Vibrant and warm, the tastebuds lift of with a silky, thick honey flavor this is tickled with dried dates, buttered croissant, apple crumble and marzipan, developing into a bright sherry and oak.
Finish - The finish rests well, unobtrusively with a satisfying crisp sweetness like eating a tart pie after dinner, lingering long and well with a tingling sweet tooth sensation.
Thoughts - Truly, I could not have paired the photo worse than what I think is actually deserving of this bottle. While the tomahawk turned out fantastic, and the whiskey has been just as delightful, they weren’t quite in the ballpark of working well with each other. From my notes alone it should be realized that this is certainly a whiskey to be enjoyed after the fact, perhaps paired with a nice apple pie or vanilla custard. None the less, clearing the palate and tasting the whiskey on it’s own now (nearly 2 months later) has given me better insight into what I’d like to have served with the fine Solera 15.
7/10 - A prestigious bottle and age that makes for a great conversational piece over dessert.