Glenfarclas 17 Years Old (Germany Exclusive)

A distillery release of Glenfarclas, a 17 year old, at 43%. Glenfarclas is a deep, dark Speyside malt of dried fruit, nut and spice. Its spirit is matured almost wholly in sherry butts brought up from Jerez. Its water rises from the granite of Ben Rinnes, above the distillery at Ballindalloch. Its six stills are the largest in Speyside and among the very few still fired directly, now by gas. It was licensed in 1836 under Robert Hay and bought in 1865 by John Grant for 511 pounds. Direct firing chars the wash a little, lending the rich, nutty depth Glenfarclas is known for.

The spirit was taken gently through wash and spirit stills, for a weighty, nutty spirit the sherry then deepens. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the full character to the fore. Into oxidative maturity, slow air builds ripe esters and a darker chocolate, fig and date depth. Long ageing turns the fresh notes towards date, prune and a dark, bittersweet chocolate.

At 43% it is smooth and rich. Baked apple, honey and a dark chocolate, lifted by a sweet oak. Fig, honey and a dark chocolate fill the middle. A deep finish ends on dried fruit and a dark chocolate. This is a dark, fruity Speyside single malt.