Glenfiddich Announces India Pale Ale Cask Finish

From Glenfiddich:

Rewriting the Whisky Rulebook: Glenfiddich Launches The Experiment Series

New Range Debuts with India Pale Ale Cask, the First-Ever IPA-Finished Single Malt Scotch.

Glenfiddich, the world's most awarded and best-selling single malt Scotch whisky – announces the U.S. launch of the Glenfiddich Experimental Series, a new range of single malts that combines the brand’s passion for pushing Scotch whisky boundaries and collaborating with trailblazers beyond the world of whisky. Today sees the unveiling of the first release from the series: the Glenfiddich India Pale Ale Cask Finish, the world’s first single malt Scotch whisky finished in IPA craft beer casks.

Glenfiddich Malt Master, Brian Kinsman, created the Glenfiddich India Pale Ale Cask Finish in collaboration with a local Speyside craft brewer who shares a passion for innovative flavors. The duo worked together to pioneer a new single malt Scotch whisky imbued with zesty citrus and tangy hops from the oak casks that had previously held a bold Speyside IPA custom brewed for Glenfiddich.

To pioneer a brand new malt, the collaborators first had to design and create a new IPA craft beer that would go into whisky casks, which would later be used to finish the first variant of the Glenfiddich Experimental Series. The intensive experimental process involved creating three separate brews of different strengths and levels of hops. Kinsman seasoned up to nine American oak casks at a time with the IPA brews, varying the time the beer spent imparting character into the oak casks, before filling the casks back up with whisky to assess the flavor profiles.

Glenfiddich’s Malt Master, Brian Kinsman said: “The Experimental Series builds on Glenfiddich’s long tradition of innovation and takes us to new levels of experimentation in a way no distillery has ever done before. The idea to experiment with single malt and beer was quite unusual but one we were passionate about – we wanted to really play with the flavors to see what we could create. The result is a liquid with a zesty citrus note followed by soft, sweet vanilla and a hint of fresh hops. The innovative flavor comes from carefully hand-selecting the right malt whiskies to complement the extra hoppy notes.”

The Glenfiddich India Pale Ale Cask Finish (MSRP: $69.99 / 750ml) will be available nationally beginning October 2016 at luxury whisky retail stores and premium bars and hotels in the United States. “We’re excited to introduce Glenfiddich’s Experimental Series with the India Pale Ale Cask Finish to the U.S., a market whose whisky consumers are open to exploring new and unusual releases,” says Michael Giardina, U.S. Senior Brand Manager for Glenfiddich.

Created from partnerships and collaborations with like-minded innovators from a wide range of different industries, the Glenfiddich Experimental Series unlocks new whisky possibilities in the true spirit of experimentation. The Glenfiddich India Pale Ale Cask Finish is the first in the series, which will include a number of unexpected variants over time.

Malt Master Brian Kinsman’s Tasting Insight:

Nose
A beautifully delicate balance of ripe green apple, William’s pear and spring blossom. Aromatic hops and fresh herbs complement the characteristic Glenfiddich fruitiness and sweet, vanilla oakiness.

Taste
Vibrant with a zesty citrus note followed by soft, sweet vanilla and a hint of fresh hops

Finish
Long lasting sweetness with subtle green hops

ABV
43%