The Whisky Exchange: Glenfarclas 95 proof (Scottish Speyside Single Malt Whisky: 15 Year: 54.2% ABV)
Visual: Deep rich, slightly bronzed gold. Thick streaks followed by slow puckering come from the spirit.
Nose: Christmas pudding. Blueberry pie. Suet to mince pies. Brandy cream. Cherries. Pencil shavings. Vanilla toffee. Mango. Slight sulfur. Water makes slightly nutty – peanuts. Softer with more mango. Stewed apricot amongst the darker notes.
Body: Sherry trifle. Slightly waxy. Toffee. Blueberry. Choc fudge. Noticeable but not overpowering alcohol. Water makes smoother body yet initially a more notable alcohol until more water is added which smooths that.
Finish: Fudge. Blueberry pie. Warming. Christmas cake. Slightly dry vanilla cake sponge. Slightly waxy. Milky chocolate. Spicy sherry trifle. Nutty and praline. Water gives oily sheen and more malt chocolate notes. Nut oils. Reese’s pieces.
Conclusion: Ok, this is incredible. I’ve had a soft spot for Glenfarclas for a while now, and their 105% proof drop is a stand out. Even based on that standard this is a new high for me from their range as it balances that level of weight from the abv, and flavor with a smoothness from its years
The aroma just flows from the glass, heavy with Christmas pudding, brandy cream, and a hint of brighter blueberry. Such an immense first impression and it follows through into the body in a slightly waxy, more traditionally sherry led body that balances between sherry trifle and toffee like notes, with that blueberry still adding a spark.
The finish is then long lasting, still blasting fudge and blueberry but filling out the Xmas scorecard with Christmas cake notes and then into a very long praline to nutty style.
It shows its abv in its warmth, but at 15 years of age it is far smoother than expected. While it smooths the texture just a few drops of water actually makes the alcohol more noticeable, but a few more then smooths it down so well into a lovely integrated dram.
Around the edges of the heavy dram there is an unexpected variety of more subtle notes, from mango soft fruit, to a Reese’s pieces style as the nuttiness and chocolate mix. There is a lot to find here and a super solid core that is so easy to enjoy. So much room to play with water to find more.
Possibly my favorite Glenfarclas I have tried and that is high praise.
Background: I first tried that at a TWE tasting over in Bristol something like a year ago, I lose track, but something like that. Loved it, so when I got the chance a few months later I bought myself a bottle. As mentioned in the notes, I’ve a soft spot for Glenfarclas and this seemed to combine so many of the best elements, at a remarkably decent price as well for the age and abv. If that tasting is an accurate depiction of the quality of TWE’s independent bottlings then they have a very good quality selection indeed. Not much else to add. Went with the strange but awesome Arcturus: The Sham Mirrors for backing music.
