Glenfiddich Perpetual Collection Vat 04 18 Year Old - 70cl/47.8%

Glenfiddich Distillery was founded in 1886 by William Grant in Dufftown, Speyside, Scotland, with the first spirit flowing on Christmas Day 1887. As a family-owned enterprise, it pioneered the global promotion of single malt whisky in 1963, innovating with the Solera system for consistent and complex maturation.

This Glenfiddich Perpetual Collection Vat 04 18 Year Old is a Speyside single malt whisky, at 47.8% ABV, non-chill filtered with added caramel coloring. Matured in Oloroso sherry and ex-bourbon oak casks for 18 years, using the perpetual Solera Vat 4 system for enhanced depth. It features a rich bronze color; the nose is rich and indulgent with ripe orchard fruit, spiced apple, and vibrant vanilla oakiness. The palate is warm, mellow, and velvety smooth, with sweet oak notes and soft spices for elegant satisfaction. Overall, it balances fruit, spice, and oak layers.

The Solera system is a fractional aging and blending method using tiered oak barrels (criaderas), with the bottom tier called solera containing the oldest liquid. Annually, a portion (typically 1/4 to 1/3) is drawn from the solera for bottling, replenished from the tier above, and new spirit added to the top, creating a perpetual cycle. This ensures consistent average age and flavor complexity. In whisky, like Glenfiddich 15 Year, it enhances depth by merging sherry and bourbon cask influences, yielding rich fruit, honey, spice, and oak layers. Features include non-chill filtration for natural texture; flavors are warm and sweet with dark fruits, marzipan, and long finish, demonstrating balance and innovation.