Grand Yozakura

Glenfiddich has arguably become the very face of single malt Scotch whisky. Since starting operations in 1887, the Speyside distillery has grown exponentially to today where it is sold in upwards of 180 different global markets, rightfully retaining its title as the best-selling and most awarded single malt Scotch whisky in the world. While there have been many factors that have contributed to Glenfiddich’s success, its resistance to compromise and desire for innovation has perhaps served its continued position at the top more than any other.

Examples of this include both the 1957 decision to hire full time coppersmiths to tend to their stills, along with the 1959 establishment of a dedicated onsite cooperage, one of the few that remains to this day. Four years after this in 1963, Glenfiddich became the first single malt Scotch to be actively promoted outside of Scotland, kickstarting a global dialogue that has seen single malt Scotch rise into the behemoth it is today. Other examples of innovation span right through to the modern day, covering categories such as event activations, unique whisky expressions, and artistic collaborations. This includes Glenfiddich’s immersive art pop up bar activation in Sydney’s CBD this past April along with its Valley of the Deer Disco at Australian Fashion Week in May.

Both of these events - which were performed in partnership with Dean & Nancy on 22 and Maybe Sammy respectively - reflect Glenfiddich’s core ethos as a brand, positioning it both as an exclusive, luxury single malt label via the atmospheres involved and as a down-to-earth product perfect for premium cocktails via the featured bespoke cocktail menus put forth. This duality is reflected in its portfolio: Glenfiddich has managed to set itself apart through its ability to excel across different price brackets.

At one extreme, the Flagship collection played a role in every whisky lover’s journey of discovery. At the other, its portfolio of rare, limited and exclusive whiskies are the drams all dedicated whisky consumers now aspire to have on their liquor shelves. One recent example of this is Glenfiddich’s Grand Château 31 Years Old, which forms part of its Grand Series. Interestingly, this whisky never should have made it into bottle in the form it is today. After the Bordeaux red wine casks were filled with 22 year old whisky with the intention of ageing for another six months, Malt Master Brian Kinsman noted was taken aback by the way the whisky was developing and decided to leave it until ready.

Nine years later, and Glenfiddich Grand Château stands as a testament to Glenfiddich’s essence: this is a distillery of immense scale that willingly embraces inconvenience, or changes to its plans, in order to put its whisky first. Partly a result of remaining one of the few entirely family-owned single malt distilleries, this business autonomy has been essential to Glenfiddich’s ongoing success. Alongside this flexibility also stands tradition. Glenfiddich whisky is still produced in the original Dufftown distillery hand built by William Grant and his children all those years ago When it comes to innovative spirit expressions, few whiskies - from William Grant & Sons or otherwise - match the nuance of both flavour and story of the Glenfiddich Grand Yozakura, a limited-edition whisky aged for 29 years in American Oak prior to being transferred to and finished in Japanese Awamori Casks.

Awamori is an alcoholic beverage typically bottled between 30% and 43% made by distilling long-grain rice. Indigenous and unique to the Okinawa Prefecture of Japan, most Awamori produced is aged in traditional clay pots, making Awamori oak casks tremendously rare. The Glenfiddich Grand Yozakura was the first whisky ever finished in these unique casks, of which impart flavours such as zesty fruit, caramelised almonds, hints of cinnamon, and a distinctive herbal zing. Both Grand Château and Grand Yozakura both form part of Glenfiddich’s Grand Series.

Also in its portfolio are Time Re:Imagined, a collection of three whiskies that explores the relationship between whisky and time; Experimental Series, a range of whiskies that push the boundaries of what Scotch whisky can be; and its Travel Exclusive collection of four vats that have never been emptied, employing the solera ageing method. Another way in which Glenfiddich capitalises on both its reputation and scale is via its unique collaborative limited-edition bottle designs.

This includes its Chinese New Year gift packs prouded in collaboration with esteemed artist Raku Inoue. The Glenfiddich Reserva Rum Cask 21 Year Old pack was the flagship of the release, which included Glenfiddich’s entire core range from the 12 Year Old, 12 Year Old (Sherry), 15 Year Old, and 18 Year Old. Glenfiddich has truly earned its place as the best-selling and most awarded single malt Scotch whisky. Not only has it mastered value-oriented offerings as part of its Flagship collection or premium appeal via its more exclusive limited-edition releases, but it has managed to balance both under the same brand, along with options for all palates and price points in between.