Glenfarclas 16 Years Old

Glenfarclas from the distillery, a 16 year old, at 46%. Glenfarclas is a Speyside single malt drawn from the largest, direct fired stills in Speyside. It launched the 105 in 1968, one of the first cask strength single malts sold to the public. Its water rises from the granite of Ben Rinnes, above the distillery at Ballindalloch.

The spirit was run slowly off the spirit still, giving a deep, full bodied Speyside spirit. Maturation came in an Oloroso sherry cask, layered over the full Glenfarclas make. At oxidative maturity aldehydes lend a nutty edge while ellagitannins draw a drying, structured grip across the fruit. The cool, slow dunnage ageing loses little to evaporation, the spirit holding its depth. The wood frames the spirit without ever stripping the full Speyside body. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit.

At 46% it is smooth and rich. A rich orchard sweetness and dark sugar, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Dried fruit and a treacle sit behind the spice. The finish is long, rich and spiced. This is a rich Speyside malt of dried fruit and nut.