Guide to a vertical tasting: how to get the most out of it

Before we start, what is vertical tasting anyway?

In short, a vertical tasting can also be called a ‘distillery exclusive’. This means whiskies with different characteristics but from the same producer or distillery. It can be used to summarise both self-produced bottlings and independent bottlings from a selected distillery.

What is the best way to start the preparation for the tasting?

It's recommended that you choose 5 - 6 whiskies for your flavour journey. Make yourself aware of the facts about your whisky. Where does the whisky come from, which distillery is it from, are there any special features or influencing aspects regarding the whisky's country of origin, what is special about each whisky in your tasting? Cask maturation (age, cask type), mash bill, distillation, signature character of the distillery

1. Pouring: The right glass (nosing glass)
2. Nosing: Bring the glass to your nose
3. Tasting: Gently swirl the whisky back and forth in your mouth
4. Finish: Classify and define the remaining mouthfeel

(Here’s our guide for a vertical tasting + a guided Glenfiddich tasting for free as a bonus)

Your whisky experience: A vertical tasting with Glenfiddich (and me)

I recommend the use of a classic nosing glass. A glass that is bulbous at the bottom and tapers to a round opening at the top. Whether you choose one with a long stem or one with a short and thicker handle is irrelevant. You can also get inspiration from the glass in the picture selected for this guide.

Where does Glenfiddich whisky come from?

From the Glenfiddich distillery in Scotland's north-east town of Dufftown and the Scottish Speyside whisky region.

Extra knowledge: When it comes to Scotch whisky regions, opinions are divided. Some sources say there are 5 regions, others say there are 6. Personally, for reasons of location and the literal definition of the land itself, I agree with the categorisation of 6 regions. Highlands, Speyside (which was originally counted as part of the Highlands), Lowlands, Campbeltown, Islay and Islands.

Are there any special features or influencing aspects regarding the whisky's country of origin and what does that mean?

No special aspects, during the maturing process the whisky in the cask is exposed to all seasons and weather conditions. Glenfiddich matures all of its whisky in an impressive estate of over 40 warehouses with a capacity of up to 1.3 million casks. The casks are stored in Dunnage Warehouses (smaller warehouses that usually offer space for about 3 casks stacked high) and Palettised or Racked Warehouses (taller buildings with more space to stack up casks and enough room for the usage of a forklift).

Like all other distilleries, the Glenfiddich distillery has its own basic signature style, which is derived from various factors, including the mash bill and the stills. This means that the New Make Spirit already has some flavours, which are then influenced and expanded by the subsequent maturation in casks.

Typical flavours for Glenfiddich whiskies would be e. g. pears, malt, vanilla and berries.

Extra knowledge: The environment in which the whisky matures has a significant influence on the maturation process. The local microclimate is the decisive factor. The weather in Scotland tends to be fresher and wetter, which means that a longer maturation period ensures that the New Make spirit draws a wealth of flavours from the oak cask.

Apart from kilning over peat in the production process, this is how the famous Islay whiskies get their maritime iodine note in the flavour. Whisky matured in warmer regions, e. g. in India, requires only half the maturation time compared to Scotch. Due to the high temperature and humidity there, the whisky enters the cask very early and the whisky matures more quickly.

Accordingly, these whiskies are not bottled at a high age, as the Angels share is already quite high after a few years.

From here on, we take a look at each whisky one by one.

Glenfiddich 15 Years Old Our Solera Fifteen

What is special about this bottle of whisky in your tasting?

This whisky has matured for 15 years in Ex-Bourbon barrels, New/Virgin Oak Casks and Spanish Sherry casks. After long maturation in the respective casks, the whiskies from these casks are blended. The special thing about the ‘Solera Fifteen’ is the vatting in the solera process. Inspired by the Spanish sherry bodegas, where solera vatting is used, this whisky is the only one from the distillery to be produced using this special technique. The Solera vat was never emptied. It is always refilled in equal parts to ensure a constant flavour in production.

This whisky comes at 40% Vol., chill-filtered and with added colour

Nosing: Floral bouquet, green apples and pears, vanilla, dark chocolate, mint, heather, toffee, cinnamon, cherries, blossom honey and orange zest.

Tasting: Raisins, dried apricots, spice cake with candied fruit, marzipan, honey, baked apples, baking spices, salted caramel, clove pepper, spicy oak, sweet malt, crème brûlée.

Finish: Medium length. Vanilla custard, butterscotch, green fruits, Mon Chéri chocolates, spice and baking cocoa.

Glenfiddich 18 Years Old Perpetual Vat 04

What is special about this bottle of whisky in your tasting?

Nosing: Light garden fruit, orange biscuits, red berries, fine spice, liquorice, caramel, dark roasted espresso beans, clove pepper, citrus notes, cinnamon, chestnut honey, cocoa.

Tasting: Oily. Candied fruit, baking spices, nuts, butter biscuits, maple syrup, spicy oak, orange zest, dark chocolate, dried fruit, sweet malt.

Finish: Medium length. Baking cocoa, oak, cinnamon baked apples, roasted walnuts, apricots, black tea.

Glenfiddich Project XX Experimental Series No. 02

What is special about this bottle of whisky in your tasting?

Nosing: Mild herbs, stewed fruit, rock sugar, dark fruit, malt, sherry, vanilla cream, coffee beans, blood orange, cinnamon, heather honey.

Tasting: Juicy apricots, dried figs, butterscotch, liquorice root, roasted malt, plums, nuts, dark chocolate, soft dates, almonds, clove pepper, ginger spiciness.

Finish: Medium length. Light stewed fruit, cocoa, honey, oak spice, malt, light peppery, liquorice.

Glenfiddich Fire Cane Experimental Series No. 04

What is special about this bottle of whisky in your tasting?

Nosing: Green apples with toffee, soft spicy campfire aroma, mandarins, orange zest, salted caramel, candied ginger, roasted almonds, acacia honey, gingerbread spices.

Tasting: Gentle wood smoke, ginger butter biscuits, vanilla caramel pudding, spicy oak, baked apples with cinnamon, roasted nuts, milk chocolate, spices.

Finish: Medium length and subtle smoky note lingers. Malty sweetness, walnuts, juicy pears and vanilla.

Glenfiddich Orchard Experiment Experimental Series No. 05

What is special about this bottle of whisky in your tasting?

Nosing: Fresh and fruity, pears and apples, citrus notes, vanilla, caramel, milk chocolate, mirabelle plums, hazelnuts, butter biscuits, malt, fresh oak.

Tasting: Medium bodied, toffee, caramelised pear, cinnamon, green tea, herbs, fresh fruit, orange zest, light ginger spiciness, cloves, pepper, cardamom.

Finish: Medium length. Typical cider notes, slightly dry, green fruit, fresh leather.