One man blends whiskies that won’t be ready for years, and the other designs cars that don’t exist yet. Brian Kinsman and Adrian Newey’s shared way of thinking shapes the second limited-edition single malt from Glenfiddich and Aston Martin Formula One Team.
Formula One measures success in thousandths of a second. Whisky keeps a longer stopwatch, and Glenfiddich’s newest release with Aston Martin Formula One Team takes 16 years to cross the line. Now in its second year, the partnership has produced the Glenfiddich & Aston Martin Formula One Team 16-Year-Old Limited-Edition Release No. 2.
The two crafts have a surprising amount in common. Glenfiddich Malt Master Brian Kinsman blends whiskies that will not be ready for years. Adrian Newey, the team’s Managing Technical Partner, shapes airflow for cars that do not yet exist. Both jobs depend on foresight, and on getting small details right long before anyone notices them.
Kinsman puts it plainly. “Behind every Aston Martin Formula One Team car there are hundreds of small decisions, carefully refined to create one flawless whole,” he says. “The same is true of making whisky.”
For this expression, those decisions involve five types of cask. First-fill bourbon barrels and Port pipes lay the foundation. Oloroso sherry casks and wine casks add depth, before a finish in Fino sherry butts. According to Kinsman, the skill lies in how the casks are brought together, rather than in any single one.
The nose opens with ripe fruit and floral top notes, followed by marzipan and polished leather. A drop of water brings the fresher fruit forward. On the palate, it is silky and buttery, with dry oak tannin keeping the caramelised cane sugar in check. The finish lingers, sweet and oaky. It is bottled at 43% ABV.
Glenfiddich has the credentials for this kind of precision. It introduced single malt to drinkers beyond Scotland in 1961 and still draws water from its own spring, Robbie Dhu. By its own count, it has also won more awards since 2000 than any other single malt Scotch at the International Wine & Spirit Competition and the International Spirits Challenge.
Jakarta had its first pour on 10 October at An Evening Beyond, held at the SKYE rooftop. Guests worked through Glenfiddich Solera Vat Aged 15 Years and Small Batch Aged 18 Years before reaching the new release, with canapés paired along the way.
Sixteen years is a long time to wait for anything. The sensible approach is to sip it slowly, and leave the driving to Fernando Alonso.
Glenfiddich
(glenfiddich.com)
IG: @glenfiddichwhisky
