Intensified by Ice and Ingenuity

 Glenfiddich adds to its Experimental Series with Winter Storm, Glenfiddich whisky finished in Canadian Icewine casks

DUFFTOWN, Sept. 21 2017 /CNW/ - Glenfiddich, the world's most awarded single malt Scotch, today launches Glenfiddich Winter Storm, a limited edition whisky finished in Canadian Icewine casks. The result is a short, crisp premium whisky imbued with a unique layer of sweetness and complexity.   

Glenfiddich Winter Storm is the newest expression in the Glenfiddich Experimental Series line up, joining Glenfiddich #01 PA Experiment and Glenfiddich #02 Project XX which both launched in 2016.

Glenfiddich's Malt Master, Brian Kinsman, is constantly on the lookout with eyes and ears open for ingenious innovations in Scotch whisky. This latest expression comes as a result of Canadian Brand Ambassador, Beth Havers proposing the idea of using Canadian Ice Wine Casks to Brian Kinsman. Intrigued by the idea as a prospect for the #03 installation of the Experimental Series, Brain travelled from Scotland to Canada in January 2016, during which he visited Peller Estate - a renowned winery in Niagara, Ontario. Enduring freezing weather, Brian toured the beautiful vineyards, where he learned how the grapes had to be picked by moonlight at -10˚C when they were as hard as pebbles.

Inspired by his experience, Brian returned to The Glenfiddich Distillery in Dufftown, where he started experimenting with several French oak Icewine casks from the Canadian winery - filling them with various Glenfiddich aged malts for up to six months. Brian commented, "Only the rarer whiskies, those aged for 21 years, could cope with the extra Icewine intensity. Having more tannins, extracted from years in oak, these malts brought out a uniquely fresh lychee note instead of being swamped by sweetness." What resulted was a perfect Glenfiddich 21 year old. The taste is a perfect combination of both pioneering liquids, the heightened candied sweets and oakiness of Glenfiddich are complemented by mouth-watering tropical fruit notes and underlying wine notes.

Peller Estates VP of Winemaking, Craig McDonald added: "It was a privilege to work with Brian on this experiment. We go to extreme lengths to produce our intensely sweet Icewine and are always looking for ways to push the boundaries of taste, so I was intrigued to see how it could be used to create a new unexpected whisky. The resulting liquid is a unique combination of the warming soul of whisky and the frozen cold of Icewine".  

Designed to inspire unusual and unexpected variants, Glenfiddich Experimental Series combines the brand's passion for pushing Scotch whisky boundaries and collaborating with trailblazers beyond the world of whisky. Created from partnerships and collaborations with like-minded mavericks from a wide range of different industries, Glenfiddich Experimental Series unlocks new whisky possibilities in the true spirit of experimentation.

Glenfiddich Winter Storm is available from November 2017 priced at $349.95 at the L.C.B.O & SAQ, in a striking white ceramic bottle and beautifully embossed presentation box. A limited edition, when it's gone it's gone, just like the winter snow. (Available across Canada as early as November 2017.) 

Read more at Glenfiddich.ca

Notes to Editors

Tasting notes:

Glenfiddich Winter Storm #03

Nose: A bouquet of tropical fruit and candied sweets are perfectly balanced with underlying wine notes

Taste: Soft sweet notes reminiscent of candied fruit and turkish delight develop into flavours of mouth-watering lychee. The fusion of sweet flavours is soon met with a rich drying sensation from the Icewine

Finish: Short and crisp

Key notes: Lychee, sweet and tannin

ABV 43%

The Glenfiddich Project XX #02

Colour: Deep gold

Nose: Classic Glenfiddich fruitiness with hints of apple blossom, summer fruits and ripe pear. A beautiful balance of oak with rich creamy vanilla, barley sugar and a hint of liquorice and subtle spice

Taste: A refined and balanced flavour with candy floss sweetness and a rich vanilla oakiness. Deep and mellow, the initial sweetness is complemented by unusual notes of toasted almonds, cinnamon and a hint of crisp tannin

Finish: Long lasting with a lingering sweet oakiness

ABV 47%

Non-chill filtered

Glenfiddich IPA Experiment #01

Nose: A beautifully delicate balance of ripe green apple, William's pear and spring blossom. Aromatic hops and fresh herbs complement the characteristic Glenfiddich fruitiness and sweet, vanilla oakiness.

Taste: Vibrant with a zesty citrus note followed by soft, sweet vanilla and a hint of fresh hops

Finish: Long lasting sweetness with subtle green hops

ABV 43%

About William Grant & Sons and Glenfiddich
William Grant & Sons, Ltd. is an independent family-owned distiller headquartered in the United Kingdom and founded by William Grant in 1887. Today, the luxury spirits company is run by the fifth generation of his family and distils some of the world's leading brands of Scotch whisky, including the world's favourite single malt Glenfiddich®, The Balvenie® range of handcrafted single malts and the world's third largest blended Scotch Grant's® as well as other iconic spirits brands such as Hendrick's® Gin, Sailor Jerry®, Milagro® Tequila, Tullamore D.E.W Irish Whiskey, Monkey Shoulder and, most recently, Drambuie and Hudson.

Recent Awards

2017 Scotch Whisky Masters:

• Master: Glenfiddich 21 Year Old
• Master: Glenfiddich 12 Year Old
• Gold: Glenfiddich 25 Year Old
• Gold: Glenfiddich Excellence 26 Year Old
• Gold: Glenfiddich 30 Year Old
• Gold: Glenfiddich Age of Discovery Madeira Cask Finish
• Gold: Glenfiddich Age of Discovery Bourbon Cask Reserve
• Gold: Glenfiddich 40 Year Old
• Gold: Cask Collection Vintage Cask
• Gold: Glenfiddich Experimental Series IPA Cask
• Silver: Glenfiddich 18 Year Old
• Silver: Glenfiddich Age of Discovery Red Wine Cask
• Silver: Glenfiddich Cask Collection Select Cask
• Silver: Glenfiddich Cask Collection Reserve Cask
• Silver: Glenfiddich Experimental Series Project XX
• Silver: Glenfiddich 15 Year Old

2017 International Spirits Challenge:

• Brian Kinsman: Master Blender/Distiller of the Year
• Scotch Producer of the Year
• Distiller of the Year
• Gold: Glenfiddich 18 Year Old
• Gold: Glenfiddich 21 Year Old
• Gold: Glenfiddich Age of Discovery Madeira
• Gold: Glenfiddich Age of Discovery Bourbon
• Gold: Glenfiddich Cask Collection Reserve Cask                                   
• Silver: Glenfiddich 12 Year Old
• Silver: Glenfiddich 15 Year Old
• Silver: Glenfiddich 25 Year Old
• Silver: Glenfiddich Excellence 26 Year Old
• Silver: Glenfiddich 30 Year Old
• Silver: Glenfiddich 40 Year Old
• Silver: Glenfiddich Age of Discovery Red Wine
• Silver: Glenfiddich Cask Collection Select Cask
• Silver: Glenfiddich Cask Collection Vintage Cask
• Silver: Glenfiddich Experimental Series IPA Cask Finish
•  Bronze: Glenfiddich Experimental Series Project XX

Click on www.williamgrant.com for more information on the Company and its brands.

SOURCE William Grant & Sons and Glenfiddich