Glenfiddich unveils limited edition 31-year-old Grand Château Whisky in South Africa

SOUTH AFRICA – Glenfiddich, the renowned whisky brand under William Grant & Sons, has introduced its 31-year-old Grand Château whisky to the South African market.  

This limited-edition release is part of the brand’s prestigious Grand Series, known for combining the worlds of single malt whisky with unexpected cultural influences.  

The Grand Château is the first Glenfiddich whisky to be finished in red wine casks from the Bordeaux region of France, offering a unique fusion of flavours. 

The 31-year-old whisky is matured in American oak casks for 22 years, followed by an extended nine-year finish in exceptional Bordeaux red wine casks.  

This lengthy finishing process infuses the whisky with rich and layered flavours, including caramelised cherry, apple, warming spices, and toasted oak. The result is a complex yet balanced whisky, blending fruity and floral notes with opulent, earthy undertones. 

Lifa Bakana, Senior Brand Manager for William Grant & Sons at Edward Snell & Co., commented on the release, stating, “Grand Château tells the tale of two worlds, drawing inspiration and character from both Scotland and France to create one exceptional liquid.”

The whisky exemplifies the Grand Series’ ethos of combining single malt with global cultural elements. 

In addition to its unique flavour profile, the Grand Château comes in a limited-edition display box designed by French street artist André Saraiva.  

The packaging features Saraiva’s iconic ‘Mr. A’ character, symbolizing the fusion of Scottish and French artistry. The figure is depicted playfully selecting the whisky at the Glenfiddich distillery in Scotland, adding an artistic dimension to the release. 

With only 300 bottles available in South Africa, Glenfiddich’s Grand Château will be sold at select premium whisky retailers for R40,000 per bottle.  

This release follows the successful launch of other Grand Series whiskies, including Grand Yozakura and Grande Couronne. 

The launch comes as William Grant & Sons reported a strong financial performance in 2023, with revenue increasing by 14 percent to £1.96 billion (US$2.63 billion).  

Profit after tax soared by 34 percent to £444 million (US$595.6 million), underscoring the group’s continued growth in the premium spirits market. 

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