Glenfiddich 30 Year Old

Distillery Background and History

Founded in 1886 by William Grant in Dufftown, Speyside, Glenfiddich remains a family-owned distillery under the stewardship of William Grant & Sons and is widely recognized as the world’s best-selling single malt. It uniquely maintains on-site cooperage and coppersmith facilities and continues to use Robbie Dhu spring water in every batch—from mash to bottle. The 30-Year-Old is part of the Rare & Vintage category and is matured in both Oloroso sherry and American bourbon casks for three decades, offering an exceptionally refined experience. 

Master Distiller and Production Philosophy

Each cask selected for the 30-Year expression is personally nosed and tasted by Glenfiddich’s Malt Master before being chosen and married. This reflects the distillery’s philosophy of utmost precision in blending and the pursuit of complexity within elegance. 

Source of Ingredients (Grain, Water, Yeast)

Produced from 100% malted barley—some locally grown, some regionally sourced—with fermentation using traditional yeast strains and distilled with Robbie Dhu spring water to preserve the distillery’s signature honeyed and fruity Speyside profile. 

Distillation Process

Crafted in handcrafted copper pot stills (16 wash stills and 27 spirit stills), built and maintained in-house. Distillation is small-batch and unpeated, designed to maximize fruity esters while retaining refined balance. 

Maturation & Cask Information

Matured for at least 30 years in a combination of American ex-bourbon oak and Spanish Oloroso sherry casks (approximately 70% bourbon, 30% sherry). Each cask is carefully selected, nosed, and married to achieve a deep, layered complexity. 

Tasting Notes

Colour: Rich bronze. 

Nose: Finely balanced oak, dried stewed fruits (plum, orange), cigar box spice, wild honey, lychee, and florals. Deep oak influence is evident but refined. 

Palate: Creamy, slightly oily texture; flavours of spiced honey, dates, figs, dark chocolate, nutmeg, roasted nuts, Seville orange, nougat; balanced oak spice without drying. 

Finish: Medium–long warming finish: lingering oak spice, sweet tobacco, leather, dark chocolate, and trace of ginger spice. 

Food Pairing Suggestions

Pairs excellently with dark chocolate desserts, age-statement cheese platters (comté, aged cheddar), roasted nuts, dried fruit cakes or pastries, and cigar‑style indulgences like dark coffee cakes.

Serving Suggestions and Ideal Glassware

Best served neat, or with a small splash of spring water, in a Glencairn or tulip glass at about 15–18 °C to allow full aromatics to emerge. Swirl gently to release nuanced bouquet; avoid ice to preserve flavour intensity. 

Storage and Aging Potential

Store upright in a cool, dark place. As a fully matured 30-year-old whisky, further bottle aging adds minimal new character—better enjoyed within a few years of opening to retain aromatic vibrancy.

Grain Type & Mash Bill (if applicable)

Single malt Scotch whisky—100% malted barley, unpeated, matured in ex‑bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks.

ABV (Alcohol by Volume)

43% ABV (86 proof).