Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix is a one-off single malt made in 2010 after heavy snow brought down warehouse roofs at the distillery. Casks exposed by the collapse were vatted into this single limited edition of 12,000 bottles, which cannot be made again.
About This Whisky
Snow Phoenix brings together Glenfiddich of several ages drawn from the damaged warehouses, some of it very old, from both American oak ex-bourbon casks and oloroso sherry casks. It was bottled at 47.6% ABV without chill-filtration. The name comes from a photograph taken in the ruined warehouse, where light through the broken roof suggested a phoenix rising from the snow.
Tasting Profile
- Nose: Vanilla, pear and apple, with honey, raisin and a hint of orange blossom.
- Palate: Honeyed and fruity, then oloroso richness with bittersweet chocolate, baked apple and warming spice.
- Finish: Long, with sweet oak, sherry and a faint wisp of wood smoke at the end.
Serving & Food
Pour it at cellar or room temperature into a tulip glass and add only a dash of water, if any. Try it with a chocolate and hazelnut torte, roast pork with crackling or honey-glazed ham.
How to Enjoy
Glenfiddich fans, and those who like a bottle with a clear story behind it.
Product Details
Distillery: Glenfiddich
Expression: Snow Phoenix
Category: Speyside single malt Scotch whisky
Released: 2010
Cask: Ex-bourbon American oak and oloroso sherry casks
ABV: 47.6%
Outturn: 12,000 bottles
Chill-filtration: None
Volume: 750mL
Origin: Scotland
Region: Speyside
About the Distillery
Glenfiddich is the Dufftown distillery William Grant and his family built in 1886 and 1887, still owned and run by his descendants.
The Dufftown site has warehouses spread across the estate. During the hard winter of 2009 to 2010 far more snow fell than the roofs could carry, and in early January 2010 several warehouse roofs gave way. Malt master Brian Kinsman inspected the damage and chose some of the recovered casks for a whisky that would mark the event.