Glenfiddich 22 years Gran Cortes – 44,3%

In the heart of Speyside, this single malt was initially matured for 22 years in traditional oak before undergoing its final refinement in exceptionally rare Palo Cortado sherry casks. These casks are a rarity in the world of sherry – they often arise from an unplanned development in the cellar and are marked by hand with an ‘X’ by the cellar masters in Spain to highlight their unique character. Malt Master Brian Kinsman makes deliberate use of these rarities to lend a new, profound dimension to the distillery’s classic profile.

Even the sight of it in the glass is captivating, with a deep rust-brown colour interspersed with reddish highlights. On the nose, an opulent bouquet unfolds, featuring dark molasses, subtly bitter chocolate and sun-kissed raisins. On the palate, the whisky is wonderfully creamy with notes of sweet vanilla and fine marzipan, whilst the finish is long-lasting, characterised by warm cinnamon and rich fruit cake.