(MENAFNEditorial) Northern Taiwan, Apr 18, 2018 ( Issuewire.com ) -'What you are drinking is not just whisky, but the terroir of Taiwan.' Glenfiddich Vino Formosa Cask Finish Single Malt Scotch Whisky 'Spirit of Taiwan'is the product of a collaboration between James Chan, Glenfiddich's Brand Ambassador (Taiwan), and winemaker Dr. Chen Chien-hao. The Taiwan-limited expression is available for pre-order from April 17, 2018. Only 301 bottles (55.6% ABV) will be available globally, at the price of TWD 35,000 per bottle. This is the first time casks used for ageingwine in Taiwan are used for finishing Scotch whisky in Scotland. The highly anticipated expression has already attracted attention as collectors in Europe have already been waiting for the pre-order. By releasing Glenfiddich Vino Formosa Cask Finish Single Malt Scotch Whisky 'Spirit of Taiwan,'Glenfiddich has again proved its leadership in the single malt Scotch whisky market with the innovative move.
'Vino Formosa (Moscato Oro Vino Fortificato, NV)' is a fortified wine made from Taiwan's golden muscat grapes; the winemaking process is similar to the one of making Madeira. In 2005, the experimental production of Vino Formosa started at Domaine Shu Sheng in Waipu, Taichung. In 2010, the wine was selected by a Michelin starred chefand later became the first Taiwanese wine served in a Michelin 3-star restaurant in France. The wine has won multiple awards (6 Gold, 7 Silver, 1Trophy) at 10 international wine competitions. When it received a trophy at the 2015 IWC (International Wine Competition), which is the highest honour in wine industry, it also wrote a glorious page in Taiwan's winemaking history. 'Vino Formosa Cask Finish,' a collaboration project between Glenfiddich'sJames Chan and Dr. Chen, was launched the same year. James transported casks used for making Vino Formosa to Glenfiddich's distillery in Scotland. After having discussed with Malt Master Brian Kinsman, he decided to finish 24-year-old American oak cask whisky in those casks. After two years of maturing and waiting, 'Spirit of Taiwan,' an expression of richfloral, fruity aromas and a sweet, smooth body, is finally completed in the Vino Formosa casks.
'In 2012, Glenfiddich released the first expression of 'Age of Discovery' Collection - Madeira Cask Finish; the expression was finished in fine, aged Madeira casks. In order to study Madeira wine, I planned to visit Madeira Island, but I never got to go, and the plan was left unrealized. One day, a sommelier friend told me that I don't have to go all the way to Madeira Island, because we have extraordinary Madeira wine right here in Taiwan. It's produced by winemaker Dr. Chen Chien-hao at Domaine Shu Sheng in Houli, Taichung.' said James Chan, Glenfiddich's brand ambassador. 'I visited Dr. Chen at Domaine Shu Sheng, tasted the wine made from local grapes grown by Taiwanese farmers with Taiwan's sunshine and water; I was very touched. So I asked myself, why don't we work with DomaineShu Sheng, send the casks to Glenfiddich forfinishing, so that our Scotch whisky can absorb the rich flavours of tropical fruits and elements of Taiwan? Why not? ' Six years later, with the kind help and support from many people of all fields, the international collaboration project 'Vino Formosa Cask Finish' has finally borne sweet fruit.
Winemaker Dr. Chen Chien-hao said, 'I'm very honoured to be invited by Glenfiddich to participate in this international collaboration project and introduce Taiwan to the world. The sweet fruit of success cannot be borne overnight. Years of experience in winemaking helped me realize that in front of Mother Nature, we are always just babies. Now I'm working with the Production and Marketing Group in Houli, Taichung, to build a new distillery, where we'll use Taiwan's sweet potatoes and rice to make shochu; hopefully we'll be able to create the flavours of our local terroir. However, we not only need time to age and mature exquisite drinks, we also need winemakers to have Glenfiddich's 'Why not?' spirit to experiment and explore, be brave and give it a try. The marriage between Vino Formosaand Glenfiddich is a symbol of our 'Taiwan Spirit' –the spirit of working hard together on our land and staying strong in the face of adversity.'
The packaging of Glenfiddich Vino Formosa Cask Finish Single Malt Scotch Whisky 'Spirit of Taiwan' is designed by Golden Horse and Golden Melody awarded designer Joe Fang. From record cover, theatre, stage play to major award ceremony and exhibition curating, Fang has involved in a wide range of projects. The concept behind his design for the expression is 'East Meets West: A Collision of Creativity.' Oriental elements and stories are blended into classic western motifs to fully illustratethe birth of the expression. The story begins fromthe bottom of the design: barrels, vines and grapes from Taichung's Domaine Shu Sheng are shipped to a foreign land, where grapes and malts are interwoven in the coldness at Glenfiddich's distillery;eventually they are matured by time and successfully transformed into shining glory. The elegant black wood is processed with delicate laser cutting and hot stamping work. Grunge design is applied by the designer to celebrate Glenfiddich'slong history and constant attempts to challenge itselfwhile moving forward.
Glenfiddich Vino Formosa Cask Finish Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Spirit of Taiwan
55.6% ABV
Tasting Notes
Matured in American oak for approximately 24 years this Glendiddich is rich in vanilla, oaky sweetness. The final 2 years of maturation in a Vino Formosa cask has lifted the fruitiness to a new level.
Color： Rich Gold
Nose：Rich and robust oakiness with an intense fruity character. The ripe apple and pear notes have been intensified during the maturation in a Vino Formosa cask resulting in hints of tropical fruits intertwined with subtle spices and sweet vanilla.
Taste：Beautifully sweet with a silky smooth and mellow palate. The balance of rich fruits and oak delivers a long lasting journey of flavour.
Finish：Very long lasting with a lingering fruity sweetness.
Availability：pre-order from April 17, 2018
Price： 35,000 NTD
Telephone number： +886800-087-979
Telephone service available Tuesday to Sunday from 11:30 am to 08:30 pm (local time)
Additional notes： Taiwan-limited, 301 bottles available globally.
About William Grant & Sons and Glenfiddich
William Grant & Sons, Ltd. is an independent family-owned distiller headquartered in the United Kingdom and founded by William Grant in 1887. Today, the luxury spirits company is run by the fifth generation of his family and distils some of the world's leading brands of Scotch whisky, including the world's favourite single malt Glenfiddich®, The Balvenie® range of handcrafted single malts and the world's third largest blended Scotch Grant's® as well as other iconic spirits brands such as Hendrick's® Gin, Sailor Jerry®, Milagro® Tequila, Tullamore D.E.W Irish Whiskey, Monkey Shoulder and, most recently, Drambuie and Hudson.
Recent Awards
2017 Scotch Whisky Masters:
• Master: Glenfiddich 21 Year Old
• Master: Glenfiddich 12 Year Old
• Gold: Glenfiddich 25 Year Old
• Gold: Glenfiddich Excellence 26 Year Old
• Gold: Glenfiddich 30 Year Old
• Gold: Glenfiddich Age of Discovery Madeira Cask Finish
• Gold: Glenfiddich Age of Discovery Bourbon Cask Reserve
• Gold: Glenfiddich 40 Year Old
• Gold: Cask Collection Vintage Cask
• Gold: Glenfiddich Experimental Series IPA Cask
• Silver: Glenfiddich 18 Year Old
• Silver: Glenfiddich Age of Discovery Red Wine Cask
• Silver: Glenfiddich Cask Collection Select Cask
• Silver: Glenfiddich Cask Collection Reserve Cask
• Silver: Glenfiddich Experimental Series Project XX
• Silver: Glenfiddich 15 Year Old
2017 International Spirits Challenge:
• Brian Kinsman: Master Blender/Distiller of the Year
• Scotch Producer of the Year
• Distiller of the Year
• Gold: Glenfiddich 18 Year Old
• Gold: Glenfiddich 21 Year Old
• Gold: Glenfiddich Age of Discovery Madeira
• Gold: Glenfiddich Age of Discovery Bourbon
• Gold: Glenfiddich Cask Collection Reserve Cask
• Silver: Glenfiddich 12 Year Old
• Silver: Glenfiddich 15 Year Old
• Silver: Glenfiddich 25 Year Old
• Silver: Glenfiddich Excellence 26 Year Old
• Silver: Glenfiddich 30 Year Old
• Silver: Glenfiddich 40 Year Old
• Silver: Glenfiddich Age of Discovery Red Wine
• Silver: Glenfiddich Cask Collection Select Cask
• Silver: Glenfiddich Cask Collection Vintage Cask
• Silver: Glenfiddich Experimental Series IPA Cask Finish
• Bronze: Glenfiddich Experimental Series Project XX
ISC Design and Packaging:
• Silver: Glenfiddich Experimental Series IPA Cask Finish
• Silver: Glenfiddich Experimental Series Project XX
International Spirits Challenge 2016:
• Distiller of the Year
• Scotch Producer of the Year
• Gold: Glenfiddich 12 Year Old
• Gold: Glenfiddich 18 Year Old
• Gold: Glenfiddich 21 Year Old
• Gold: Glenfiddich 30 Year Old
• Gold: Glenfiddich 40 Year Old
• Gold: Glenfiddich Age of Discovery Madeira
• Gold: Glenfiddich Malt Master
• Gold: Glenfiddich Rare Oak 25 Year Old
• Gold: Glenfiddich Ultimate
• Silver: Glenfiddich 15 Year Old
• Silver: Glenfiddich Age of Discovery Bourbon
• Silver: Glenfiddich Age of Discovery Red Wine
• Silver: Glenfiddich Bourbon Barrel 14 Year Old
• Silver: Glenfiddich Cask Collection Reserve Cask
• Silver: Glenfiddich Cask Collection Select Cask
• Silver: Glenfiddich Cask Collection Vintage Cask
• Silver: Glenfiddich Distillery Edition
• Silver: Glenfiddich Excellence 26 Year Old
• Silver: Glenfiddich Rich Oak
• Bronze: Glenfiddich The Original
Media Contact
Source : Glenfiddich Taiwan
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