Glenfarclas 1971 Christmas Malt Cask #5959 + 5960

A distillery release of Glenfarclas, a 28 year old, from 1971, cask 5959 + 5960, at 53.1%, 543 bottles in all. Glenfarclas is a Speyside single malt from Ballindalloch, in the heart of Speyside. 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. It holds some sixty eight thousand casks on site in dunnage warehouses, with stock from every year since 1953.

The spirit was run slowly off the spirit still, for the rich, sherried make Glenfarclas is known for. Maturation came in an Oloroso sherry cask, layered over the full Glenfarclas make. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend structure while oxidation builds a richer raisin and treacle. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit. Active wood drives the maturation, the cask deep in the malt.

At a natural 53.1% it is full and rich. Orange, raisin and a treacle edge, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Dried fruit and a treacle sit behind the spice. It finishes long, full and fruity. This is a dark, fruity Speyside single malt.