Review: Glenfiddich x Aston Martin Formula One 16 Years Old No. 2 (2026)
In 2025, Glenfiddich accelerated right into the fray of liquor and racing collabs, announcing a multi-year partnership with the Aston Martin Formula One Team. The initial partnership covered two releases: an ultra-rare 65 year single malt, and a more consumer-conscious 16 year-old, priced for the podium at around $75.
For 2026, malt master Brian Kinsman is back with another 16 year single malt, but it’s hardly a rerun of last year’s race. While the inaugural release featured whisky aged across three types of American oak barrels (wine casks, new oak, and second-fill bourbon), the latest model expands to five distinct cask types:
first-fill bourbon barrels
Port pipes
Oloroso sherry casks
wine casks (in unspecified varieties)
Fino sherry butts, which the brand describes as lending a “final touch”
Like its immediate predecessor, Glenfiddich x Aston Martin Formula One 16 Years Old No. 2 is bottled at 43% ABV. Let’s see how it tastes.
Glenfiddich x Aston Martin Formula One 16 Years Old No. 2 (2026) Review
The nose carries some of that familiar Glenfiddich fruit, but it’s frankly much nuttier than I expected, even with the expanded cask pedigree. (The Port and Fino are doing some heavy lifting!) The most prominent aromas are shoe leather, roasted chestnuts, dehydrated lemon, and dried mission figs. Blackcurrant jam eventually lends some sweetness, which complements the tart dried citrus. Overall, it’s like a series of darker, richer scents were layered atop the classic house profile.
In comparison, early sips are relatively subdued, leading with soft salted caramel before a gradual build of dried orchard fruits. A little citrus zest adds tartness but drops off around (or even just before) the midpalate. That leads to a middle which seems slightly flat in comparison, showcasing honeycomb and preserved fruit syrup but not a whole lot else for complexity. Thankfully, drying spice and black walnut picks up on the back palate, which in combination save the flavor narrative from dullness. Dark chocolate and pipe tobacco guide us through to the finish, which boasts a more dried fruit amidst plenty of lingering oak.
In the end, the spirit leaves a great impression on the nose and solid flavor on the finish. There’s just one thing holding Glenfiddich’s newest blend back: For a brief moment in the middle of the race, its foot comes ever so slightly off the gas.
86 proof.
B+ / $80 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
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