Glenfarclas Christmas Single Malt 32 Years Old 1980 (11065 + 11073)

Glenfarclas from the distillery, a 32 year old, from 1980, cask 11065 + 11073, at 48.1%, 704 bottles in all. Glenfarclas is a Speyside single malt matured almost wholly in sherry casks from Jerez. Direct firing chars the wash a little, lending the rich, nutty depth Glenfarclas is known for. It was licensed in 1836 under Robert Hay and bought in 1865 by John Grant for 511 pounds. Its water rises from the granite of Ben Rinnes, above the distillery at Ballindalloch.

The spirit was distilled in copper pot stills, the direct fired stills lending a nutty depth. It was fully matured in a Port cask, the wood deep in the rich spirit. In its ethereal years the malt turns waxy and oxidative, faded esters and a whisper of sotolon over dark fruit. Active wood drives the maturation, the cask deep in the malt. Maturation runs slow and even in the dunnage warehouses at Ballindalloch.

At a hearty 48.1% it carries real weight. Orange, raisin and a treacle edge, with red berry, plum and a dry spice from the cask. The body is full and rich, the fruit deep and dark. Dried fruit, spice and a soft oak see it out. This is Glenfarclas's deep, fruity Speyside style.