Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix

[Bing]

A potential disaster for Glenfiddich during the winter storms of 2010 becomes a collectible. And now I have one in my whisky cupboard. Rabble of Xmarks, allow me to present Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix

In January 2010, thanks to an especially snow-filled winter, some of Glenfiddich’s warehouse roofs reached their snow load-bearing limits and decided to collapse without considering the feelings of those sensitive spirit-filled casks within. These casks, some ex-bourbon, some ex-Oloroso, sat shivering in the snow, exposed to sub-zero temps while crews worked furiously to get all involved into a warmer setting. Malt Master Brian Kinsman decided to create a special edition commemorating the event, vatting a selection of whiskies ranging from 12 to 30 years old, bottling it non-chill filtered at a slightly higher proof, and giving it its myth-inspired name.

Presentation box



Opened to reveal the beauty within



The bottle; black glass



I'm going to have to sit on this one for a bit before opening.

[nloken]

I feel the warming sensation known as jealousy rising swiftly as I try to imagine how the taste and feel of it might have changed from its cold endeavours.. Looking forward to reading about your first taste when the time comes!

[ForresterModern]

From my albeit limited knowledge of the aging process for whiskeys, the relatively high percentage of alcohol present in most casked whiskeys is around 60%, which effectively acts as an antifreeze to keep the casks from freezing solid and potentially rupturing. Cold by itself would only temporarily slow the effects of cask aging, specifically only for the duration that it was exposed and chilled more than it would have been in the aging barn anyway (maybe a few days at most), probably not that long in the grand scheme of whisky being aged 12-30 years overall. Truly extreme cold might cause some of the dissolved esters to settle out and might potentially change the flavor a bit but would just as likely redissolve upon the temperature of the cask returning to normal.

So IMHO I doubt this had any particularly profound effect, good or bad, on the flavor of the particular casks unfortunately so exposed, regardless of their ages. It does however make for an interesting marketing opportunity for offering a rare and collectible bottle of Glenfiddich, generally not a brand that has a lot of collectible bottlings out on the market. And since many if not most of the relatively small number of casks that were of the same age were likely bottled together for this offering, it would not be surprising if each of these offerings did have a unique flavor, different from the standard Glenfiddich of similar vintage, simply becasue they were made from a blend of fewer casks of the same age and from the same location in an aging barn.

I will have to keep my eyes open for the limited editions to surface, if only to grab a few up for the collectible nature of them. Two of each vintage bottling, I think, one to drink, and one to save for future investment, or enjoyment if it is truly special on the tongue.

Thanks for sharing this news.

[Bing]

Two of each vintage bottling, I think, one to drink, and one to save for future investment, or enjoyment if it is truly special on the tongue.

Thanks for sharing this news.

I was thinking of you specifically as I started this thread.

There are 11 on my local LCBO's shelf right now. There are 45 bottles in London, ON and more than 400 on the shelves in the Toronto region.

Tomorrow is payday, so I'm thinking of getting the 2nd as you mentioned. Price in Ontario is $89.50.

I'm sure you can prevail upon someone here to purchase and hold 2 bottles for you until you can make it across the border?

[ForresterModern]

I was thinking of you specifically as I started this thread.

There are 11 on my local LCBO's shelf right now. Tomorrow is payday, so I'm thinking of getting the 2nd as you mentioned. Price in Ontario is $89.50.

I'm sure you can prevail upon someone here to purchase and hold 2 bottles for you until you can make it across the border?

Thanks for thinking of me, friend. I will exhaust my many channels on this side of the border, then check some international vendors I know, but may resort to a road trip north if all else fails.

As I am at work, the internet filter does not allow me to search for alcohol related products, but you can guarantee I will be putting google shop through the paces as soon as I can get home and online again.

[Bing]

I will exhaust my many channels on this side of the border, then check some international vendors I know, but may resort to a road trip north if all else fails.

I did a quick search in google shop and the prices seem to be about double what the LCBO charges.

I read elsewhere that only 12000 bottles were produced.

Some in Ontario complain that our liquor prices are higher than in any other province or state that touches us (Quebec, Manitoba, Michigan, New York) despite the fact that the LCBO is the single largest purchaser of wines and spirits in the world. When it comes to specials though, it seems that purchasing power pays the dividend. Based on some quick research on the LCBO website, and extrapolating those numbers based on population I'm estimating that we got about 1000 bottles, or 8% of the entire production.

There are 38 bottles in Windsor, just across the river from Detroit. Google maps says 6 hours or so. You may be making that trip north yet. You do have a long weekend coming in 2 weeks time?

[ForresterModern]

Got online through my iphone and found a couple US locations that have it, at $90-100US, but do not ship out of state, and they are not in my state. Seems they distributed it only on the coasts, as one store in Massachusetts and one in California had it in stock when I called. Checked my local distributor connections and none is being delivered to either Kentucky or Indiana (right across the river from us) but will have to check Ohio as we are only 90 minutes from Cincinnati and due for a trip that way anyway. Just happen to be flying to San Diego next weekend so am checking it availability at a few shops down that way, especially since one of the two places that I found that had it was in Tarzana, CA, unfortunately a bit out of my range for my short trip and other responsibilities next weekend. It is available from the UK at a bit more of a premium price (about 95gbp--might be less if not subject to VAT) but then I have to add shipping as well as duty upon arrival, so that would be my last resort. No long weekends for a couple months, unfortunately. Saw something online that said it was available at some duty frees, but no international travel in my immediate future either.

My best opportunity right now seems like San Diego, so I will put some time into that venture, then hope it flys well in my luggage on the way back, or maybe ship it to myself from San Diego. Back up plan is maybe a trip to Cincinnati if I can find some up there. Canada and UK remain the ace in the hole for now. Thanks again.

[Bing]

.

Canada and UK remain the ace in the hole for now. Thanks again.

If all else fails and you need a Canadian connection just let me know. I won't be able to ship out of country but we can work out the details through PM.

[DryFly]

Am awaiting your tasting notes so that we can compare.........

I opened a bottle last spring. It's gone. I have happy friends and another bottle reserved for later.

[Father Bill]

Out of stock here today; the ***'t Mgr is looking for one for me. Wish I had known sooner; she says she had them until about three weeks back.