Glenfarclas 10 Years Old (Poland Exclusive)

A distillery release of Glenfarclas, a 10 year old, at 60.1%, 600 bottles in all. Glenfarclas is a Speyside single malt from Ballindalloch, in the heart of Speyside. Its water rises from the granite of Ben Rinnes, above the distillery at Ballindalloch. It was licensed in 1836 under Robert Hay and bought in 1865 by John Grant for 511 pounds. Its spirit is matured almost wholly in sherry butts brought up from Jerez.

Run slowly off the spirit still, for a weighty, nutty spirit the sherry then deepens. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the American oak lending vanilla and a light honey. By the integrating teens the raw notes fade and esters build, the rich spirit growing rounder and darker. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit. The wood frames the spirit without ever stripping the full Speyside body. The full bodied spirit takes active sherry wood well, carrying its dark sugars through the years.

At a natural 60.1% it is full and rich. Raisin, chocolate and a warm spice, lifted by a sweet oak. Beneath it run dried fruit, dark sugar and a warm spice. The finish is long, rich and spiced. This is a richly sherried Speyside single malt.