Glenfiddich is the Dufftown distillery that did more than anyone to turn single malt into a category of its own. The house style is fruity and elegant: pear, green apple, honey and soft oak. Here you will find Glenfiddich 12 and the 15 Year Old Solera, the Experimental Series and the cask finished Grand Series.
Glenfiddich distillery in Dufftown: family owned single malt since 1887
William Grant built the distillery with his family in 1886, and the first spirit ran from the stills on Christmas Day 1887. Glenfiddich is still run by his descendants through William Grant & Sons, one of very few big Scotch whisky companies still in family hands.
The name comes from the Gaelic for valley of the deer, hence the stag on every bottle. Water comes from the Robbie Dhu spring, and the spirit is made in copper pot stills with the classic swan neck.
In 1963 the family began selling Glenfiddich abroad as a single malt in its own right, when blends ruled the market. Most whisky writers count that as the start of the modern single malt category, and Glenfiddich remains one of the best known Speyside single malts.
Glenfiddich 12, 15 and 18 Year Old: the core single malt range
Glenfiddich 12 Year Old: Our Original Twelve
The classic starting point: fresh pear, green apple, malt and a touch of vanilla. The 12 Sherry Cask adds depth from an Amontillado sherry cask finish, while the 12 Triple Oak combines bourbon barrels, sherry casks and fresh oak for more spice.
Glenfiddich 15 Year Old Solera: the vat that is never emptied
Malt master David Stewart created the Fifteen with the sherry bodegas of Spain in mind. Since 1998 it has been married in a Solera Vat that is only ever drawn down by half, so every batch carries some of the one before. Whisky from sherry, bourbon and new oak casks goes in; out comes a round, honeyed malt with raisins and spice.
Glenfiddich 18 Year Old: Our Small Batch Eighteen
Eighteen years in Oloroso sherry and American oak casks, married in small batches. Expect baked apple, dried fruit and a longer, oakier finish.
Glenfiddich Grand Series and the Experimental Series
The Grand Series gives each older whisky its own finish: the 21 Year Old Gran Reserva in Caribbean rum casks, the 22 Year Old Gran Cortes in Palo Cortado sherry casks, the 23 Year Old Grand Cru in French cuvée casks that once held sparkling wine, and the 26 Year Old Grande Couronne in Cognac casks.
The Experimental Series is where malt master Brian Kinsman tries ideas out. IPA Experiment was finished in casks seasoned with India Pale Ale brewed in Speyside. Project XX was built by 20 whisky experts, each choosing a cask from the warehouses. Fire & Cane marries peated and unpeated malt from bourbon casks, finished in rum casks, for gentle smoke and toffee sweetness. There is also the odd collector bottle, such as an Archive release distilled in 1990 and bottled at cask strength.
For a sherry led take on Speyside, compare The Macallan single malt, or try the smokier island style of Highland Park whisky from Orkney.
Glenfiddich whisky FAQ
Where is the Glenfiddich distillery?
In Dufftown, in the Speyside region of northeast Scotland. More malts are in our range of Scotch whisky from Scotland.
What is the difference between Glenfiddich 12 and 15?
The 12 is fresh, light and fruity. The 15 from the Solera Vat is rounder and sweeter, with more honey, dried fruit and spice.
Is Glenfiddich a peated whisky?
No, the house style is unpeated. The exception is Fire & Cane, which uses some peated malt.
What is Glenfiddich Grand Cru?
The 23 Year Old in the Grand Series, finished in French cuvée casks used for sparkling wine, which adds brioche and floral notes.
Who owns Glenfiddich?
William Grant & Sons, still run by the founder's descendants. The family company also owns The Balvenie.
How should I drink Glenfiddich?
Neat or with a few drops of water. The younger bottlings suit smoked salmon, the older ones dark chocolate and nuts. Find more bottles in our whisky collection.