Today’s tasting lineup includes all three ‘Age of Discovery’ expressions from Glenfiddich. Although originally released only for travel retail, all three of them are nowadays relatively widely available in online shops as well (at least here in Germany).

The start of the series was a 19 Years Old finished in Madeira casks to honor the 15th Century Portuguese explorers, who discovered in their search for a passage to India new islands like Porto Santo and Madeira. According to Glenfiddich, the majority of the Madeira casks come from the Canterio warehouse of Henriques & Henriques, a well-known, family owned Madeira company which was established in 1850.

Facts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name:	Glenfiddich 19 Years Old ‘Age of Discovery’ Madeira
Age:	19 Years Old
Category:	Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Distillery:	Glenfiddich
Cask Type:	first-fill and re-fill oak casks, finish in Madeira casks
Strength:	40.0% Vol.
Colored:	Yes
Chill Filtered:	Yes

Nose

Deep and a bit earthy. A delicious fruit basket with figs, strawberries, gooseberries and grapes. Fresh vanilla biscuits served with orange marmalade.

Taste

Starts with orange liqueur and candied fruits before it moves on with sugared ginger and cinnamon. Unfortunately, it goes downwards from there due to the lack of strength, only leaving behind some thin-yet-cloying ginger liqueur.

Finish

Not very long, dry earth with a slightly sweet touch.

Overall

Lags behind its full potential. The nose is really good but the rest cannot keep up with it. Needs a bump up to 46% in my opinion.

Score: 84 / 100