Glenfarclas The Family Malt Collection 16 Years Old 1990

This official Glenfarclas, a 16 year old, from 1990, at 43%. 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. Direct firing chars the wash a little, lending the rich, nutty depth Glenfarclas is known for. Its whiskies are bottled at their natural colour, without chill filtration. It was licensed in 1836 under Robert Hay and bought in 1865 by John Grant for 511 pounds.

It was run slowly off the spirit still, the direct fired stills lending a nutty depth. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, oak lactones lending a creamy vanilla. Through oxidative maturity the esters concentrate, the orchard notes turning to raisin, fig and a dark chocolate. Active wood drives the maturation, the cask deep in the malt. Maturation runs slow and even in the dunnage warehouses at Ballindalloch.

At an approachable 43% it is soft and fruity. Raisin, chocolate and a warm spice, 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 Glenfarclas's deep, fruity Speyside style.