Glenfarclas Vintage 31 Years Old 1966

A 31 year old Glenfarclas, a distillery bottling, from 1966, at 46%, 1200 bottles in all. Glenfarclas is a Speyside single malt, one of the last great family owned distilleries in Scotch. Its water rises from the granite of Ben Rinnes, above the distillery at Ballindalloch.

Drawn from a thick, heavy wash, for the rich, sherried make Glenfarclas is known for. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the full character to the fore. In its ethereal years the malt turns waxy and oxidative, faded esters and a whisper of sotolon over dark fruit. Long ageing turns the fresh notes towards date, prune and a dark, bittersweet chocolate. Maturation runs slow and even in the dunnage warehouses at Ballindalloch. The full bodied spirit takes active sherry wood well, carrying its dark sugars through the years. Years in oak deepen the spirit to a darker gold, the body growing rounder and more resinous with time.

At 46% it is rich, fruity and deep. A deep, dark sweetness, lifted by a sweet oak. The mouthfeel is full and coating, the fruit dark and sweet. Dried fruit, spice and a soft oak see it out. This is a full bodied Speyside single malt of real richness.