Glenfarclas 1996 Edition N°26

A 28 year old Glenfarclas, a distillery bottling, from 1996, at 46%, 1800 bottles in all. Glenfarclas, the glen of green grass, is a richly sherried Speyside single malt. It launched the 105 in 1968, one of the first cask strength single malts sold to the public. Its whiskies are bottled at their natural colour, without chill filtration. Direct firing chars the wash a little, lending the rich, nutty depth Glenfarclas is known for.

It was distilled in copper pot stills, shaping a rich Speyside body with real weight. It was fully matured in an Oloroso sherry cask, the wood deep in the rich spirit. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend structure while oxidation builds a richer raisin and treacle. 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. Active wood drives the maturation, the cask deep in the malt.

At 46% it is rich, fruity and deep. A rich, sherried 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 Glenfarclas's deep, fruity Speyside style.