Glenfiddich’s The Original launches at Goodwood

Glenfiddich has launched a recreation of its historic 1963 Glenfiddich Straight Malt, named “The Original”, at vintage motor racing festival Goodwood Revival.

The Original Club was modelled on some of the most exclusive private member’s clubs of the decade

The new expression, which was announced last week, made its inaugural appearance at the annual three-day festival at Goodwood Circuit in Cheshire.

The story of how The Original came into existance unfolded at Glenfiddich’s 1963-themed namesake bar, The Original Club, which was modelled on some of the most exclusive private member’s clubs of the decade.

It was during this year that Sandy Grant Gordon – the great-grandson of Glenfiddich’s founder William Grant – made the decision to promote Glenfiddich Straight Malt in America, “the land of blended whisky”.

To commemorate Grant Gordon’s “maverick spirit”, Glenfiddich’s malt master Brian Kinsman examined the family’s archives and researched the flavours predominantly used in the sixties to recreate that particular edition of the whisky.

Glenfiddich brand ambassador, Mark Thomson, personally introduced the expression on Friday morning with a short theatrical performance whereby he arrived at the bar in a vintage Glenfiddich-branded van clutching a suitcase full of The Original and surrounded by actors holding film recorders and microphones from the period.

Thomson said: “Glenfiddich are delighted to be part of Goodwood Revival this year. I am excited to be able to launch the new Glenfiddich The Original honouring the poignant Glenfiddich Straight Malt at one of the most iconic British festivals.

“Our team has come together to create something really special in the form of The Original Club, where you are automatically transported back in time to 1963 – a time where the world of whisky changed forever.”

A tasting of Glenfiddich’s core range followed, with a viewing of the brand’s short film, ‘Case of Dreams’, which the brand created to “illustrate why the family are renowned as ‘The Maverick Whisky Makers of Dufftown'”.

The flavour profile of the whisky is said to be “pleasantly sweet, with lively fruit notes and a soft vanilla oakiness”. The flavours “develop with the addition of a little water” to reveal “delicate spices, citrus, and fresh-baked oatcakes”.

Glenfiddich The Original is available from September with an RRP of £85 for a 70cl bottle.