Glenfiddich & Aston Martin Formula One Team 16 Year Old Limited-Edition Release No. 2 750ml (2026 Release)

Glenfiddich and the Aston Martin Formula One Team are two years into what's already a five-year partnership, and this new release marks a genuine step up in ambition from where they started. Unveiled in London on Monday, August 3, 2026, the Glenfiddich & Aston Martin Formula One Team 16-Year-Old Limited-Edition Release No. 2 expands the maturation program from the original release's three cask types to a considerably more elaborate five: first-fill bourbon barrels, port pipes, Oloroso sherry casks, wine casks, and a final touch of fino sherry butts. That expanded cask program subtly reshapes Glenfiddich's naturally fruit-forward house style, adding real dryness and complexity to what was already a genuinely accessible, well-regarded expression.

The whisky was inspired directly by the shared philosophy of Glenfiddich Malt Master Brian Kinsman and Aston Martin F1's Technical Partner Adrian Newey — a belief that real performance is defined not just by what's visible, but by what Kinsman calls "the invisible detail working beneath the surface." As he explained: "what I find most compelling about Adrian's work is that the defining performance often comes from what you cannot immediately see. Behind every Aston Martin Formula One Team car are hundreds of small decisions, carefully refined to create a seamless whole." That's exactly the idea behind layering five distinct cask influences into a single 16-year whisky — dozens of small maturation decisions building toward one cohesive final result.

Remedy Liquor's official tasting notes describe the finished whisky as "a masterfully balanced marriage of whiskies influenced by first-fill bourbon barrels and the finest wine and fortified wine casks," delivering "Glenfiddich's signature fruitiness with luxurious depth and exceptional complexity," revealing "layers of rich stewed fruit, silky sweetness, and long-lasting oaky richness." Priced accessibly for a 16-year single malt, this release continues Glenfiddich's stated commitment to keeping the Formula One series genuinely approachable — as brand representative Bayly noted of the original release, "it's a great little bottle... really, really approachable for a 16-year-old." This is a genuinely current, still-fresh release worth featuring while its August launch buzz is at its peak.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Glenfiddich, based in Speyside, Scotland, and the Aston Martin Formula One Team announced their long-term, five-year partnership in November 2024, launching at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. This 16-Year-Old Limited-Edition Release No. 2, unveiled in London on August 3, 2026, marks the second annual whisky in that ongoing collaboration, inspired by the shared philosophy of Glenfiddich Malt Master Brian Kinsman and Aston Martin F1 Technical Partner Adrian Newey.

Where the original 2025 release matured across three cask types, this new edition expands to five: first-fill bourbon barrels, port pipes, Oloroso sherry casks, wine casks, and a final touch of fino sherry butts — a considerably more elaborate maturation program designed to add dryness and structural complexity to Glenfiddich's naturally fruit-led style while maintaining the same 16-year age statement. Glenfiddich remains an independent, family-owned distillery. Bottled at 43% ABV, 750ml.

Critics Reviews

No formal numerical critic score is confirmed for this product at this time — a very recent, current release.

Beth Squires, The Whiskey Wash:
"What happens when Formula One precision meets whisky making? Glenfiddich and Aston Martin unveil a five-cask 16-year-old single malt inspired by hidden detail. The 16-year-old expression is built through a maturation across five cask types. It combines first-fill bourbon barrels, port pipes, oloroso sherry casks, wine casks and a final touch of fino sherry butts. Bottled at 43% ABV, the whisky pairs Glenfiddich's fruit-led style with layered sweetness, richness and structure."

Brian Kinsman, Malt Master, Glenfiddich:
"What I find most compelling about Adrian's work is that the defining performance often comes from what you cannot immediately see. Behind every Aston Martin Formula One Team car are hundreds of small decisions, carefully refined to create a seamless whole."

Remedy Liquor (official tasting note):
"The 2026 Glenfiddich x Aston Martin Formula One Team Limited Edition 16 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky is a masterfully balanced marriage of whiskies influenced by first-fill bourbon barrels and the finest wine and fortified wine casks. As the second annual limited-edition release from the Glenfiddich and Aston Martin Formula One Team collaboration, it delivers Glenfiddich's signature fruitiness with luxurious depth and exceptional complexity, revealing layers of rich stewed fruit, silky sweetness, and long-lasting oaky richness."

Emily Price, Forbes (press coverage):
"The new whisky expands its maturation from three to five distinct cask types, including Fino sherry and Port pipes, subtly reshaping Glenfiddich's signature fruit-forward profile by adding dryness and complexity. Maintaining the 16-year age statement reflects Kinsman's innovative approach to whisky making, moving beyond traditional age categories."

Tasting Profile

Nose
Glenfiddich's signature fruitiness leads, layered with rich stewed fruit and gentle sweetness, reflecting the influence of both wine and fortified wine casks.

Palate
Silky and luxurious, with real depth and complexity — stewed fruit sweetness meets structured dryness from the Oloroso and fino sherry components, balanced against the softer sweetness of the bourbon and port cask influence.

Finish
Long-lasting and oaky, closing with genuine richness — a more structured, complex finish than the original three-cask release, thanks to the expanded five-cask maturation program.

Quick Overview

Serving Note

Best enjoyed neat, on the rocks, with a splash of water, or with club soda to fully appreciate its layered complexity.