Glenfarclas The Family Casks 19 Years Old 2000

A distillery release of Glenfarclas, a 19 year old, from 2000, cask 6285, at 56%, 237 bottles in all. Glenfarclas is a Speyside single malt from Ballindalloch, in the heart of Speyside. Its six stills are the largest in Speyside and among the very few still fired directly, now by gas. It launched the 105 in 1968, one of the first cask strength single malts sold to the public.

The spirit was worked unhurried through the stillhouse, shaping a rich Speyside body with real weight. It was matured in an Oloroso sherry cask, the wood working deep into the malt. At oxidative maturity aldehydes lend a nutty edge while ellagitannins draw a drying, structured grip across the fruit. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit. Maturation runs slow and even in the dunnage warehouses at Ballindalloch.

At a natural 56% it is full and rich. Baked apple, honey and a dark chocolate, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. A baked apple and a warm cinnamon lift the middle. Dried fruit, spice and a soft oak see it out. This is a full bodied Speyside single malt of real richness.