Glenfiddich releases Snow Phoenix whisky

Published: 29 October, 2010

Glenfiddich is releasing a new whisky, Snow Phoenix, to mark the dramatic events of January this year when heavy snow caused some of its warehouse roofs to collapse.

On January 7 2010, a number of warehouse roofs gave way under the weight of four feet of snow, leaving the maturing oak casks exposed. In temperatures of -19?C, distillery staff swung into action, working round the clock to clear the snow.

Glenfiddich malt Mmster, Brian Kinsman, said: "Standing amongst the wreckage and exposed casks, we were working out our next steps and assessing the situation. I was thinking about how the casks, some of which were very old, contained some beautiful whisky and it occurred to me that they would create a fantastic non-aged single malt. A limited edition bottling from the whiskies in the damaged warehouses would be an appropriate way of celebrating the pioneering spirit of the distillery team at this moment in Glenfiddich's history. "

"A photographer was shooting the scene and rather fittingly, when we looked at the pictures, the light shining through the warehouse roofs looked like a phoenix rising above us. I suppose this was the moment of conception of Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix."

Snow Phoenix was uses natural strength and non-chill filtered casks of different ages and finishes, including American oak and Oloroso sherry. The result is a single malt, gold in colour with bright copper highlights.

Glenfiddich has dedicated Snow Phoenix to the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team and has made a special contribution to their funds.

One thousand bottles will be made available exclusively to members of the online club, Glenfiddich Explorers, www.glenfiddich.co.uk/explorers, with the remainder available in from mid-November, ABV 47.6%, priced £49.99 RRP for a 70cl bottle.

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