Stands Out

Glenfarclas 25 Year

43% ABV
$140-$180
Website

What the Distiller Says

100% Oloroso sherry cask maturation.
A great after-dinner whisky so rich and full that it is a dessert in itself, with a finish that goes on forever.

Tasting Notes
Colour: Amber with dark-gold highlights.
Nose: Complex, yet refined, with tempting aromas of marmalade, honey, freshly ground coffee, sherry and nuts. Some oaky tannins.
Flavour: Full-bodied and robust, the sherry and the oak fight for your attention yet neither overpowering.
Finish: Intense, long lasting, dry and malty. A beautiful dark chocolate taste at the back of your mouth to complete the 25 years old.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Herbal, grassy, vegetal with notes of green tobacco and leather; a bit of water brings out a subtle sweetness with peaches and honey.
Palate:  Bam! Sherried almonds in fruits salad with pears, honey, chocolate and nutmeg sprinkled in; a subtle port-like nuance going on.
Finish:  Long, nutty sweetness with a spice kick at the end (when you get there).
Comments:  This is even lighter in color than the 21 yr AND the 17 yr (very odd). The nose was a bit of an enigma; like the 17 yr, it is a departure from the rest of the range – lacking in those sherried dark fruit notes you expect with an aged single malt that’s been in Oloroso sherry this long. But it makes a big comeback on the palate, delivering those sweet fruity notes. I got a port-like sweetness near the end on the palate, which I particularly liked (like the 21 yr, left me to wonder if there was other wood involved – but there isn’t). A delicious dram, although with a beguiling nose.

Rating: Stands Out

(Richard had reviewed this as part of a Whisky Advent calendar; below are his notes from that review)

What Richard Says

Nose: Rich, deep, and refined sherry character with just a little bit of oak and tannins in the back.
Palate: Creamed honey, lighter sherry than the nose would foretell, oak, and a pinch of cracked pepper.
Finish: Lots of lingering cocoa powder and oak.
Comments: This is a lovely example of an older sherried single malt. Glenfarclas also seems to be priced rather attractively for a 25 year old. However, this particular malt is a little less complex than I would expect or hope for. Oak, tannins, and sherry are the predominate notes (understandably) but I’m not getting much else. Even still, this is a very nice dram and one you should consider trying, given the opportunity.

Rating: Stands Out

Glenfarclas 105 Cask Strength
60% ABV
$85 – $100
Website

What the Distiller Says
Bold & Punchy
A great whisky holding all the flavours of all the Glenfarclas in one glass. Don’t be afraid of the strength and order a 210, if you dare! The smoothness makes the 105 drinkable at cask strength, but I would suggest adding a little water, to fully explore its’ great depth

Tasting Notes
Colour: Deep peaty-gold.
Nose: Complex, oaky, apples & pears and a tempting dark toffee sweetness.
Flavour: Dry and assertive, develops quickly to reveal a rich spiciness, combined with a hint of oak and sherried fruit.
Finish: Amazingly smooth for the strength, wonderful warming with a lingering spiciness, yet very rounded.

What Gary Says
Nose:  A tad thin and hot, oaky, cigar boxes with fennel and just a hint of fruit.
Palate:  Intense cinnamon, peaches, honey with a peppery spice; a bit of water brings out some chocolate notes and tamps the spice just a bit.
Finish:  Moderately long and drying.
Comments:  The nose is a bit odd to me; usually higher proof drams like this have an intense nose but I didn’t get much beyond alcohol and oak. The palate delivered that intense flavor, and this opens up beautifully with some water. The nose also improved, but was still more muted than the palate in comparison. I love how it clouds up in the glass with a bit of water too. You may be wondering “Why 105 when it is 120 proof?” The 105 name refers to the British Proof, which equates to 60% ABV (thanks Google!) Too few cask strength offerings out there in single malts; enjoying this leaves me wondering why.
Rating: Stands Out

Glenfarclas 12 Year
43% ABV
$47 – $55
Website

What the Distiller Says
100% Oloroso Sherry Cask Maturation.
An excellent introduction to the distillery style – for those who enjoy a sherried whisky.
To be consumed neat or with a drop of water.
A great accompaniment to smoked salmon or Ibérico Ham.

Tasting Notes
Colour: Vibrant, amber-gold.
Nose: Fresh and beautifully light, sherried fruit combined with a tempting spicy sweetness and a hint of sappy oak.
Flavour: Full-bodied with a delightful sherried fruit, oak and delicious sweet sensations.
Finish: Long and flavoursome, with a lingering spiciness.

What Gary Says
Nose:  Rich, thick nose of dark sherried fruit; plums, figs, pears with a note of balsamic vinegar; almonds dusted with cocoa.
Palate:  Rich sweetness, chocolate covered raisins with an earthy spiciness; a bit of mossy smoke with a hint of ginger at the end.
Finish:  Moderately long and drying, with trailing cinnamon.
Comments:  Wow – what a difference a couple of years (and a few proof points) make! We’re conditioned to expect single malts to improve with age, but I was (pleasantly) surprised by how much of a step up this was from the 10 yr. A delicious sherried highland single malt; with more of a spice edge than is typical of the style (which I very much appreciate).
Rating: Stands Out