Glenfarclas 1978 Edition N°8

Glenfarclas from the distillery, a 24 year old, from 1978, at 53.3%, 1200 bottles in all. Glenfarclas is a deep, dark Speyside malt of dried fruit, nut and spice. Its six stills are the largest in Speyside and among the very few still fired directly, now by gas. It launched the 105 in 1968, one of the first cask strength single malts sold to the public.

It was drawn from a thick, heavy wash, building a deep malt of dried fruit and dark sugar. 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. Years in oak deepen the spirit to a darker gold, the body growing rounder and more resinous with time. The wood frames the spirit without ever stripping the full Speyside body.

At its natural 53.3% it is rich and chewy. A deep, dark sweetness, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Dried fruit and a treacle sit behind the spice. Dried fruit, spice and a soft oak see it out. This is a Speyside single malt of real standing.