Glenfarclas 21 Years Old (UK Exclusive)

A distillery release of Glenfarclas, a 21 year old, at 51.4%, 600 bottles in all. Glenfarclas is a deep, dark Speyside malt of dried fruit, nut and spice. It has been run by six generations of the Grant family, one of Scotch whisky's last truly independent houses. Its spirit is matured almost wholly in sherry butts brought up from Jerez. Its six stills are the largest in Speyside and among the very few still fired directly, now by gas.

It was distilled in copper pot stills, giving a deep, full bodied Speyside spirit. An Oloroso sherry cask held it, drawing the rich spirit on over the years. Through oxidative maturity the esters concentrate, the orchard notes turning to raisin, fig and a dark chocolate. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit. Long ageing turns the fresh notes towards date, prune and a dark, bittersweet chocolate.

At a hearty 51.4% it carries real weight. A deep, dark sweetness, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. A baked apple and a warm cinnamon lift the middle. The finish is long, rich and spiced. This is a deep, sherried Speyside single malt.