Not long ago I attended a whisky tasting of the entire ‘Core’ GF event, but when Israeli Importer of Glenfiddich ‘Hacerem’ invited me for a tasting session with Glenfiddich Global Brand Ambassador , Ian Millar, I did not think twice, and hopped on the bandwagon. it is not everyday that such a figure in the Whisky industry visits Israel, and I do think it’s the first time a global brand ambassador for any whisky company pops over the pond to preach some whisky unto us Israelites.
So here I was, all dressed up in my whisky shirt and vest, ready to meet Mr. Millar. The event was well organized and took place in a lovely villa in one of Tel Aviv’s oldest and most beautiful quarters : Neve Tzedek, in Villa Dallal.
After a short reception, and cocktails, I cam over to say Hi to Ian, and he recognizing my Elements of Islay Pe1 shirt , asked me half laughing, how could I come to GF tasting with an Islay shirt! We started chatting, me telling him Jamie Milne (GF UK ambassador) says hi (earlier I posted pics on Facebook and Jamie saw those and told me to say hi!), and speaking with him about his golf course adventures at the Wild Whisky Weekend organized by my friend Hans-Henrik Hansen, word’s biggest Glenfiddich collector, and owner of Hotel Falster in DK, where another Danish whisky friend of mine Jorn was staying and playing during his visit to the whisky weekend. Ian is a lovely fellow, with a great sense of humor, and it was great chit chatting with him and hearing some inside industry stories, I will no repeat … 😉
We then went inside for a tasting session in one of the villa rooms, where tables were already set with whisky poured into glasses, nothing I did not try before : 12,14,15,18, and the 21 year old. 
Ian started talking about how whisky is made, and with a video slideshow explained how whisky is made, guiding us through the distillery from milling, to fermentation, to distilling, All with his lovely sense of humor, jokes and stories, which left no dull time, quite a performance. I was rather surprised with the way Ian insisted we hold our tasting glasses, with our entire fists, and not just using the glass legs as other whisky people usually do. He explained that warming the whisky is good, and that it stimulates it. Knowing that from Cognac and other spirits, I was not totally surprised, but still , it was hilarious when people wanted to hold their whisky by the stem, and got banter from Ian. Quite the act.
When we reached the 15 year old Solera Reserve, Ian gave on of his signature acts, singing the “Solera” song, replacing the words of the famous Italian song “Volare”, with “Solera”. Cracking stuff. I was really looking for the last dram of the evening, the only expression I had not tasted before : the 19 year old “Age of discovery” finished in Madeira casks. This expression is not yet available in Israel, but only in travel retail, but that is changing now worldwide. The 19 year old was very nice, nothing amazing, but a nice change and a well made whisky. No Glenfiddich post is complete without a tasting note, right? so here are my notes:
Glenfiddich Age of Discovery – Madeira Cask Finish , 40% ABV , £80
Nose: Malty and sweet, with some fruity qualities maybe some figs and apricots. A nice variation on the Glenfiddich DNA.
Palate:Apples, The figs and apricots from the nose make an appearance here as well, as well as sweet syrup, cinnamon and a zingy peppery edge.
Finish: Spices (Cinnamon), malt and wood notes that go on. Medium length.
Score: 84/100
Bottom line:
All in all this is a lovely dram, nothing Excellent, but very good it is. I would again, ask Glenfiddich (Ian, please!) to consider bottling such limited expressions at 48% or more, since the 40% is nice, but not quite there. I am sure that this one would also be much better in all senses, especially mouth wise, at that ABV. Oh, one can hope!
As I wrote, it was a lovely evening, and besides the whisky, the Millar show was super! Many thanks to Ian for a great evening, with a lot of whisky, humor, and his vast knowledge which he gladly shared with us. Let us hope for more such events with whisky industry insiders that can share teach and display that amount of love to the nectar of the gods.
Slainte!