We hadn’t specifically set out to visit any distilleries on this last trip to the Highlands, but somehow we managed to find ourselves driving the Malt Whisky Trail through Speyside one afternoon. Clearly we were meant to tour a distillery right then. We were spoiled for choice with such a large cluster of distilleries at our feet; not knowing which to choose, we trusted our guidebook’s recommendation of Glenfiddich.
We walked in without a reservation and were offered a free tour starting in a few minutes. The new-ish visitor center and gift shop (which reminded me of our last visit to Jack Daniels) were nicely done and made it clear that Glenfiddich welcomes visitors. (There was a lovely bar/cafe, as well.)
The tour started with a video that covered the history of the distillery, right down to the way the first buildings were constructed in 1886. We were impressed to learn that Glenfiddich is still family-owned (rather than a part of a big international drinks conglomerate).
Next we were off to tour the distillery with Logan, our pink-cheeked kilt-wearing guide who walked us through the various stages of whisky production. Delicious odors were to be found through every door.
In the warehouse (where, sadly, we were not allowed to take pictures), we watched a short film about Glenfiddich’s on-site cooperage and then got a chance to nose a few casks (and see if we could distinguish a sherry cask from a bourbon cask). Logan also told us that unusable old casks are used as firewood in the nearby village of Dufftown, giving the streets a delicious whisky aroma. Scott doubts that this is entirely true, but I have already enthusiastically added “winter trip to Dufftown” to my travel to-do list.
Next it was on to the tasting room. We were offered Glenfiddich 12, 15, and 18 year old along with tasting notes to help us try to parse their distinct characteristics. Could we taste the pear & oak? The honey & raisins? The baked apple & cinnamon? When asked which was our favorite, I found myself having the same problem I often do in whisky-tasting situations: I liked them all. As a group I’d describe the Glenfiddich whiskies as fruity and highly drinkable.
As this was our very first Scotch whisky distillery tour, we don’t have anything to compare it to yet (well, besides a couple Irish and American distillery tours), but overall we found Glenfiddich to be a good place to start. We really liked that the tour was free (but with paid options if you wanted to pre-book a fancier tour), and that we didn’t have to book it in advance as you do at many of the other distilleries. We were disappointed that we weren’t allowed to take photos in some places, but I think we still managed to capture the experience. I can’t wait to see how our next distillery tour stacks up.
