by 
Glenfiddich Fire & Cane Single Malt. Speyside, Scotland. ABV: 43%. Tasted at Whisky a Day HQ, $80 (bottle).
Colour: Brightly polished brass.
Nose: Fresh apricots, dried dates and a whiff of smoke. Campfire smoke, as distinct from peat.
Palate: A thin mouthfeel is the first thing you notice. Not a good sign. Toasted banana bread, black currant pastilles, passionfruit syrup and the juices from the bottom of of bowl of fruit salad. Nice flavours, just a shame you just have to work quite hard to get it all.
Finish: A slightly salty, cane flavour. Like sucking on a fresh saxophone reed. Salted caramel notes in the fade.
Comments: Fire & cane & disappointment. It’s billed as a “smokey whisky finished in sweet rum casks”, but fans of either style will likely be a little underwhelmed. It’s like the flavours have been dialled down too far through the dilution to 43% ABV. I can and do enjoy whiskies at 43%, however this one is a little too watery. You can’t help but wondering in the desire to appeal to a wider audience Glenfiddich have gone a little too far.