The Glenfiddich Gran Reserva 21 Year Old

When, after World War II, Glenfiddich became the first company to bottle an unblended malt whisky, most contemporaries of the Scottish Highlands distillery viewed the decision as financially ruinous.  The prevailing wisdom was that the public palate was far too delicate to withstand the assault of such intense and often eccentric flavor profiles.  In large part because Glenfiddich was (and is) so delightfully drinkable a spirit, a new genre of whisky was born.  Glenfiddich followed this with further innovations, including the introduction of Caoran Reserve, which is aged in Islay whisky casks, and the Havana Reserve, which spends its formative years in Caribbean rum casks.  The latter is now known as the Gran Reserve, a 21-year-old version of which has just been released.  The Glenfiddich Gran Reserva 21 Year Old shows Cognac-like finesse, blending scents of orange tea, banana, honey, and oak.  The palate is smooth and rich with dried mango, roasted pecan, leather, nutmeg, and sweet hints of spearmint and peach. ($120)

From the Robb Cellar