I tend to have very expensive taste in everything.  My favorite scotches tend to run $80 to $100 per bottle, and I tend to consider this “affordable”.  I like to keep a regular supply of inexpensive single malts in my collection to enjoy on a regular basis, saving the 18 year and up and special editions for special occasions (e.g. when company is not coming over).  Don’t get me wrong, inexpensive doesn’t mean poor quality.  In general the younger scotches are cheaper than their older counterparts.  My go to affordable scotches tend to rotate among Glenlivet 12, Ardbeg 10, Glenfiddich 12, Glenmorangie 12, Balvenie 15.  This set represents a diverse cross-section of the flavor spectrum and tend to cost less than $45 for a 750ml bottle.  Though I’ve previously stated that I prefer the smoky, peaty, medicinal scotches I do sometime crave a smother sweater flavor.  Variety is the spice of life, right?

But this is a review of Glenfiddich 12 so let’s get to it.  A deep breath through the nose reminds me of an apple jolly rancher.  The fruitiness is obvious and is accompanied by sweet and sour overtones.  The taste is medium in strength.  There is a strong presence of fruit, apple and or pear.  Almost like an apple pie or tart, baked crust or bread is present in the flavor too.  I also taste a little cinnamon and honey.  There is definitely a honey after taste.  Despite this description its not at all too sweet or fruity.  There is still a bit of smoke flavor and something like rubber.  That’s right rubber.  The smell of a car tire is present in the flavor.

The fruit flavor hits you right away with cinnamon and spice when you swallow.  After swallowing there is a honey flavor followed by a nice smoky rubber after taste.  All these flavors are medium, not over powering at all.  With ice added, I don’t know why but with it tastes more rubbery, unless my ice machine is broken.  Also there is a stronger spice flavor with ice added.  This scotch tastes much better neat in my opinion.

This is a good tasting scotch.  Very enjoyable, very drinkable.  Too easy to drink.  The last bottle I purchased was $39.99 on sale and this was a surprise.  I’ve purchased this bottle before for only $32.