Glenfiddich 12
Dufftown, Speyside, Scotland
Unpeated Speyside malt from Dufftown, matured in ex-bourbon barrels and European oak sherry casks and bottled at 40%. Sits next to the Glenlivet 12 on this site for the same reasons (light style, mixed casks, minimum strength).
- Age statement
- 12 years
- Aging
- 12 years, American oak ex-bourbon and European oak sherry casks
- Congeners
- High
- Histamines
- Moderate
- Polyphenols
- Moderate
- Sulfites
- Low
- Tannins
- Moderate
- Sugar
- Very Low
- Additives
- Low
In its favor
- ✓Unpeated, so no phenol load
- ✓Matured partly in ex-bourbon casks, not sherry only
What to watch
- !Sherry casks contribute some sulfites
- !Twelve years of cask extraction
Factor by factor
Congeners High ▾
Byproducts of fermentation (methanol, acetaldehyde, fusel alcohols). Strongly linked to hangover severity; darker, less-distilled spirits carry more.
Histamines Moderate ▾
Produced by bacteria during fermentation/aging. Trigger flushing, headaches, congestion in sensitive drinkers. High in red wine, beer, aged spirits.
Polyphenols Moderate ▾
Plant compounds with antioxidant activity. Slightly protective at low doses but at high concentrations may worsen hangover via tannin/quercetin reactions.
Sulfites Low ▾
Preservatives (SO₂) added to wine and some beers. Common trigger of headaches, asthma, and allergic-type reactions.
Tannins Moderate ▾
Astringent polyphenols from skins, seeds, barrels. Bind proteins, slow alcohol clearance, and aggravate dehydration-style symptoms.
Sugar Very Low ▾
Residual sugar amplifies hangover via blood-sugar swings and dehydration. Liqueurs and cocktails are the main offenders.
Additives Low ▾
Colorants, flavorings, glycerin, propylene glycol, sorbates. Cheap spirits and ready-to-drinks often hide these in trade-secret formulas.
Glenfiddich 12 is the best-known unpeated Speyside malt, made by William Grant & Sons in Dufftown. Its chemistry is the typical middle of the scotch range: twelve years in used oak, a sherry cask component, and no smoke.
Glenfiddich 12 questions
Is Glenfiddich 12 gluten-free? ▾
Not by label. Glenfiddich 12 is distilled from a gluten-containing grain, so US rules bar it from claiming gluten-free. Distillation does remove the gluten protein, and the Celiac Disease Foundation considers distilled spirits safe for most coeliacs. If you would rather avoid the question, pick a spirit distilled from corn, potato, grape or agave.
What proof is Glenfiddich 12? ▾
Glenfiddich 12 is 80 proof, which is 40% alcohol by volume.
Does Glenfiddich 12 give you a bad hangover? ▾
Glenfiddich 12 scores 6/10 on the SpiritFacts Hangover Index, against 7/10 for scotch overall. The main drivers are its congeners.
Is Glenfiddich 12 vegan? ▾
Yes. Glenfiddich 12 is listed as vegan, with no animal-derived ingredients or fining agents.