Glenfarclas 25 Years Old (Quarter Casks)

A 25 year old Glenfarclas, a distillery bottling, at 42.4%, 905 bottles in all. Glenfarclas is a richly sherried Speyside single malt, run by the Grant family since 1865. 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.

The spirit was drawn from a thick, heavy wash, for the rich, sherried make Glenfarclas is known for. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak gentle behind the spirit. In the oxidative, evaporative years the spirit concentrates to dried fruit, dark chocolate and a waxy, resinous depth. The wood frames the spirit without ever stripping the full Speyside body. Long ageing turns the fresh notes towards date, prune and a dark, bittersweet chocolate. The full spirit deepens with time, the cask drawing out its darker register.

At 42.4% it is smooth and rich. A rich orchard sweetness and dark sugar, lifted by a sweet oak. Beneath it run dried fruit, dark sugar and a warm spice. A deep finish ends on dried fruit and a dark chocolate. This is a rich Speyside malt of dried fruit and nut.