This release is part of the Glenfiddich Experimental series and bottled at 43% ABV (which is quite unusual from Glenfiddich). It is a peated malt that is finished in rum casks, hence the Fire and Cane (as in sugarcane) name. The nose is smokey, but more camp fire rather than strong peat. Fire before the Cane. The taste is spicy and nutty, chocolate, pepper, brown sugar and some honey and a hint of the phenol from peat. The finish is a little hot, like eating burnt cake batter off a wooden spoon. Water brings up more brown sugar and some lemon peel. Very nicely done but not sure I would pair peat and rum casks, personnally I prefer peat and sherry casks.
Read MoreMy first comment is that I have classified this as single malt, though I am not sure technically it is as the wash fermented at Brain's Brewery in Cardiff and not on site at Penderyn. Second comment is to decare my bias for Wales, as I graduated from the University of Wales in 1990. The nose has a cereal notes and is reminscent of new make spirit. The mouth feel is smooth and creamy and it has a nutty sweetness, fruit and vanilla. Complex and different, this is a delicious whisky.
A pale whisky but don't let that fool you into thinking there isn't much going on here. The nose is sweet and has lots of fruit, lemon and raisins. The taste is at first fruity and crisp like a white wine with some pear notes and then a peppery finish builds with a hint of smoke. Nice stuff.