Glenfiddich 21 starts with classic elegance, then takes a playful detour, finishing its journey in Caribbean rum casks. The result feels familiar but loosened up, like a well-tailored suit worn barefoot. From the first pour, it’s inviting and quietly charismatic. The nose opens with ripe banana, toffee, and vanilla, followed by baked apple, a hint of tropical fruit, and a soft molasses warmth drifting underneath. On the palate, it is smooth and gently lush, the sweetness rounded and generous, carried by a velvety texture that never tips into excess. The rum influence shows up as a whisper rather than a shout, adding warmth and intrigue without stealing the spotlight. This is a whisky made for lingering. Easy to sip, easy to enjoy, and surprisingly hard to rush. Pour it neat or with a single cube, settle in, and let it unfold at its own pace. Polished, expressive, and just a little mischievous, it shows how tradition gets more interesting when it allows itself a bit of adventure.
