Glenfiddich 16yr F1 Aston Martin Batch 02 750ml

Glenfiddich, the world's most awarded single malt Scotch whisky, and the Aston Martin Formula One Team return for the second year of their multi-year partnership, first established in November 2024, with a new limited-edition single malt: Release No. 2. Inspired by Glenfiddich Malt Master Brian Kinsman and Aston Martin F1 Managing Technical Partner Adrian Newey, the release centers on a shared philosophy that the most defining performance often comes from what can't immediately be seen. "Behind every Aston Martin Formula 1 Team car are hundreds of small decisions, carefully refined to create a seamless whole," Kinsman explained. "The same is true in whisky making."

Where the inaugural Release No. 1 rested entirely on American oak across three cask types, Release No. 2 marks a clear evolution, expanding to a five-cask recipe: first-fill bourbon barrels, Port pipes, Oloroso sherry casks, red wine casks, and a final, restrained contribution from Fino sherry butts. That added complexity brings noticeably more richness, tannin, and dried fruit character to Glenfiddich's familiar fruit-led style, trading some of the first release's bright, sweet immediacy for a deeper, more structured pour. The 16-year age statement remains, reflecting Kinsman's approach to whisky making that moves beyond simply chasing a number of years toward genuine, deliberate complexity.

Bottled at 43% ABV and rolling out nationwide beginning August 2026 at a suggested retail price of $80, Release No. 2 is a genuinely rare combination: a well-crafted 16-year-old single malt at an accessible price point, built through a five-cask maturation process rarely seen at this level. For F1 fans, Glenfiddich collectors, or anyone looking for a well-priced 16-year single malt to open on race Sundays, this is an easy one to justify.

Tasting Notes

Expect Glenfiddich's signature fruit-led character at the core, layered with richness, structured oak, dried fruit, and marzipan from the added wine and fortified-wine cask influence, official distillery notes point to orchard fruit and oak as key elements. As a newly released 2026 bottling, detailed third-party tasting reviews are still emerging; check back as more in-depth reviews are published.