Glenfiddich 12 vs Glenrothes 12: Head to Head!

Discover the differences between Glenfiddich 12 vs Glenrothes 12 in this in-depth comparison and decide which Single Malt is better for You!

Glenfiddich 12

Nose	Floral, ripe fruit, honey
Palate	Fruity sweetness, pear, oak
Finish	Medium, pear, oak
Alcohol content	80 proof (40% ABV)
How to drink	Add water
Similar to	Glenlivet 12, Macallan 12

Glenfiddich 12 has served at the introductory whisky to Single Malt Scotch to millions including me. I don’t drink it anymore as my taste has evolved greatly but I still remember it fondly.

On the nose, the Glenfiddich 12 offers a smooth aroma with a floral note, along fruity notes and honey.

On the palate, this whisky has a decent body, not particularly creamy but not watery. Flavor offers fruity sweetness up-front, followed by a hint of pear and a tad of oak.

The finish has a good length, with no warmth to it, with an aftertaste of pear and subtle and pleasant oak.

If I was new to Scotch, this would be a friendly introduction; if you are an experienced aficionado you are going too find it too friendly, perhaps boring.

The Glenfiddich 12 is a smooth and sweet whisky, nothing complex, nothing great but nothing off-putting, is just a smooth and mellow fruity dram.

No harshness and no traces of smoke make it the best option for newbies curious about single malt Scotch or liquors in general.

Glenfiddich 12 has been the entry-level bottle to the fantastic world of single malt whisky for many people including me and for a good reason: Glenfiddich is a solid, smooth and yet inexpensive single malt.

There are a few facts worth knowing about this whisky:

• Aged for 12 years in a combination of used American oak and European sherry oak casks.

• Glenfiddich has been in business since Christmas Day 1887 when William Grant founded the distillery.

• Glenfiddich is the best-selling Single Malt across the globe.

• This is Speyside whisky, these whiskies are known for being smooth, creamy, fruity and commonly matured in Sherry casks.

• This brand is owned by William Grant & Sons along Balvenie, Tullamore D.E.W., Monkey Shoulder among several others.

Glenrothes 12

Nose	Sherry, apple, vanilla, sulfur
Palate	Hazelnut, chocolate, honey, melon
Finish	Short, oak spice, melon
Alcohol content	80 proof (40% ABV)
How to drink	Neat or add water
Similar to	Glenlivet 12, Macallan 12

On the nose, the Glenrothes hits with sherry aroma at first, followed by baked apple and vanilla.

There is light sulfuric note coming behind that is not terrible but unpleasant ruining what could have been a good start.

On the palate, this malt feels somewhat creamy providing a good mouthfeel. Flavor is mostly sweet, rich in honey, hazelnut and chocolate, along a melon note.

The finish is short, with more melon to it and a hit of oak spice bringing a bitter note.

Adding water releases caramel but does nothing for the finish that remains a bit bitter.

Glenrothes is a sweet and smooth Scotch, completely drinkable, at a good price for a 12 year old Single Malt, although the nose has a bad sulfuric note and the finish bitter spice making me consider further options.

There are a few facts worth knowing about the Glenrothes 12:

• This whisky is free of artificial coloring.

• Aged for 12 years entirely in sherry seasoned oak.

• Graded as “95 points & Great Value” at the 2019 Ultimate Spirits Challenge.

• Received “5 Stars & Highest Recommendation” by the F. Paul Pacult’s 2018 Spirit Journal.

• Glenrothes was founded in 1879 and is now owned by the Scotland-based Edrington Group along Macallan, Highland Park and the unpretentious Famous Grouse.

Glenfiddich 12 vs Glenrothes 12: Price comparison

Prices are approximate and stated in USD:

Whisky	Price
Glenfiddich 12	$36
Glenrothes 12	$51

Glenfiddich 12 vs Glenrothes 12: Which is better?

Glenfiddich is an easier and smoother Single Malt

Whiskey	Glenfiddich 12	Glenrothes 12
Nose	✅
Body	✅	✅
Palate	✅	✅
Finish	✅
Value	✅	✅

• Glenfiddich is not going to shock you with any memorable tasting note or remarkable depth, but this is along the Glenlivet one of the easier whiskies to drink making the best option for new drinkers.

• The Glenrothes is smooth and sweet on the palate, but a bad nose and a bitter finish make prefer the Glenfiddich.