Glenfiddich 12 Years

Glenfiddich 12 Year Old Review

6.6 out of 10

A beginner’s single malt. Reasonable price with decent taste. Slightly disappointing with more alcohol notes than deep flavors you’d expect from a rich single malt. However, it’s a great whiskey for casual drinking, plus the bottle design is beautiful.

Taste
6.4 out of 10
Light and refreshing. Almost watery in texture. Hints of light fruit notes. However, severely lacks depth
Nose (Aroma)
6.8 out of 10
Orchard fruits (pear, apple, peach) with vanilla and cinnamon sweetness. Malty notes with honey undertones
Finish
6.5 out of 10
Short to medium length. The fruity sweetness fades quickly, leaving a slight oak dryness. Clean but unremarkable, with a faint vanilla afterthought.
Price
6.8 out of 10
Glenfiddich 12 is a solid whisky that's perfectly enjoyable. However, with its recent price increase, it's no longer great value for money in my opinion. There are too many good alternatives in this price range.

Short Story

There have always been certain whiskeys that single malt beginners must try, and among them, Glenfiddich 12 year old is the most famous. While I also might think “Hmm… why?” after tasting it, but I still recommend Glenfiddich 12 as a beginner’s single malt for three reasons.

1. Famous Brand

Since Glenfiddich sells so well, even people who don’t know whiskey recognize that deer logo and triangular bottle. This really helps with recommendations. In fact, Glenfiddich is so well-known that people unfamiliar with whiskey often think all brands with ‘Glen’ (like Glenmorangie, GlenAllachie, etc.) are the same thing. Being the most representative makes it less burdensome to recommend.

2. Smooth Taste (Among Single Malts)

Like most Scotch whiskeys, Glenfiddich 12 year old primarily matures in ex-bourbon casks.However, what sets it apart is its deliberately gentle profile – hints of pear and apple with subtle vanilla sweetness, without any smoke or peat that might overwhelm newcomers. While this approachability makes it perfect for beginners, seasoned whiskey drinkers might find it lacks the complexity they’re looking for. Think of it as the gateway single malt – smooth and friendly, but perhaps too well-mannered for its own good

3. Affordable Price

I always tell my friends this – there’s no need to drink expensive whiskey when you’re just starting out. Just like how first-time coffee drinkers only taste bitterness in Americano, to whiskey beginners, Glenfiddich 30 and 12 are just the same strong “liquor.” Glenfiddich 12 year old’s price point makes it accessible, so it’s easy to recommend to anyone wanting to try single malts.

Final Verdict

Great for daily drinking. There’s a reason it’s the world’s best-selling single malt. However, the downside is that Glenfiddich is already known for its smooth (some might say bland) taste, and combined with its young 12-year aging and 40% alcohol content, it might feel a bit weak. It’s a single malt that somehow doesn’t quite feel like a single malt.

Of course, if someone’s getting into single malt whiskey, this is definitely a gift you can confidently bring along.