Glenfarclas 10 Years Old (M&S Collection)

A distillery release of Glenfarclas, a 10 year old, at 42.5%. Glenfarclas is a deep, dark Speyside malt of dried fruit, nut and spice. Direct firing chars the wash a little, lending the rich, nutty depth Glenfarclas is known for. Its slow, cool dunnage maturation loses very little to the angels each year. Its water rises from the granite of Ben Rinnes, above the distillery at Ballindalloch.

The spirit was distilled to a rich, generous cut, for the rich, sherried make Glenfarclas is known for. Maturation came in an Oloroso sherry cask, layered over the full Glenfarclas make. In integration coconut and vanilla knit with the malt, the orchard notes deepening to sultana, date and chocolate. The full bodied spirit takes active sherry wood well, carrying its dark sugars through the years. Long ageing turns the fresh notes towards date, prune and a dark, bittersweet chocolate.

At an approachable 42.5% it is soft and fruity. A rich, sherried sweetness, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. A dark chocolate and a soft oak give it weight. The finish is rounded, dark and spiced. This is the family sherry malt of Ballindalloch.