Glenfarclas The Spirit of Independence 17 Years Old 1978

This official Glenfarclas, a 17 year old, from 1978, at 43%, 1200 bottles in all. Glenfarclas is a Speyside single malt from Ballindalloch, in the heart of Speyside. It was licensed in 1836 under Robert Hay and bought in 1865 by John Grant for 511 pounds.

The spirit was distilled to a rich, generous cut, for the rich, sherried make Glenfarclas is known for. A bourbon barrel held it, the wood adding a soft honey over the fruit. Through oxidative maturity the esters concentrate, the orchard notes turning to raisin, fig and a dark chocolate. The full bodied spirit takes active sherry wood well, carrying its dark sugars through the years. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit. Active wood drives the maturation, the cask deep in the malt. The full spirit deepens with time, the cask drawing out its darker register. Maturation runs slow and even in the dunnage warehouses at Ballindalloch.

At 43% it is rich, fruity and deep. A rich, sherried sweetness, lifted by a sweet oak. The body is full and rich, the fruit deep and dark. The finish is long, rich and spiced. This is a dark, fruity Speyside single malt.