Glenfarclas 24 Years Old 1972 (Ex-Bourbon)

This official Glenfarclas, a 24 year old, from 1972, at 43%, 1200 bottles in all. Glenfarclas is a richly sherried Speyside single malt, run by the Grant family since 1865. It launched the 105 in 1968, one of the first cask strength single malts sold to the public. It holds some sixty eight thousand casks on site in dunnage warehouses, with stock from every year since 1953. Its six stills are the largest in Speyside and among the very few still fired directly, now by gas.

It was run slowly off the spirit still, for a weighty, nutty spirit the sherry then deepens. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak gentle behind the 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. Years in oak deepen the spirit to a darker gold, the body growing rounder and more resinous with time.

At 43% it is rich, fruity and deep. Fig, walnut and a bittersweet chocolate, lifted by a sweet oak. Fig, honey and a dark chocolate fill the middle. Dried fruit, spice and a soft oak see it out. This is a Speyside single malt of real standing.