Glenfiddich 14 Year Old Rich Oak

Glenfiddich 14 YO Rich Oak was aged 14 years in bourbon barrels and then finished in new Spanish and American Oak casks. My thanks to @Robert99 for the reviewed sample

Nose: barley flavours are joined by a lot of spice flavours from new oak wood, including cloves and cassia. Vanilla is obvious. Even though Glenfiddich mentions no wine casks, there is a hint of fruit flavour as though from wine cask. There is a moderate intensity of flavour. The texture is a little thin, which is no surpise at 40% ABV. The sweet/dry balance is very good. Water added raises the pitch, brings out sweetness, and enhances the little bit of fruitiness. Score: 22.5/25 points

Taste: fruit, mostly of the apple and over-ripe pear sort, join in on the palate, along with the wood and malt flavours. Intensity on the delivery is strong. The balance is not quite as good on the palate as it is in the nose. The wood flavours are a little too aggressive here, especially the presence of a lot of bass-pitched tannins. Water added has the same effects as on the nose, plus it lessens the overpowering wood tannins. Score: 21.5/25 points

Finish: goes wood-tannic into the finish, with increased bitterness and sourness. Water added lessens the wood influence, increases sweetness, and emphasises the barley and fruity elements. Score: 19/25 points

Balance: very good balance in the nose, fair to good balance on the delivery, poor balance on the finish. Score: 20/25 points

Total Sequential Score: 83 points

Strength: good strength of flavours in the nose; very strong flavours thereafter. Score: 23/25 points

Quality: nice barley; nice spice; too much tannin from the wood. Score: 21.5/25 points

Variety: very good complexity in the nose and on the delivery; fair-poor complexity on the finish. Score: 21/25 points

Harmony: this is a very pretty Glenfiddich which is spoiled by too much wood tannin on the finish. Score: 18/25 points

Total Non-Sequential Score: 83.5 points

Comment: Glenfiddich 14 Rich Oak is very different with and without water added. Both versions are ok. Neither is stellar

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