Glenfarclas 25 Years Old The Queen’s Silver Jubilee (G&M)

A Glenfarclas of a 25 year old chosen by Gordon and MacPhail, at 70%. Glenfarclas is a Speyside single malt matured almost wholly in sherry casks from Jerez. It has been run by six generations of the Grant family, one of Scotch whisky's last truly independent houses. It launched the 105 in 1968, one of the first cask strength single malts sold to the public. Direct firing chars the wash a little, lending the rich, nutty depth Glenfarclas is known for.

Distilled to a rich, generous cut, for a weighty, nutty spirit the sherry then deepens. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, a soft vanilla beneath the fruit. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend structure while oxidation builds a richer raisin and treacle. Active wood drives the maturation, the cask deep in the malt. Maturation runs slow and even in the dunnage warehouses at Ballindalloch. Long ageing turns the fresh notes towards date, prune and a dark, bittersweet chocolate.

At its natural 70% it is rich and chewy. A rich, sherried sweetness, lifted by a sweet oak. Fig, honey and a dark chocolate fill the middle. The finish runs long, full and warming. This is a richly sherried Speyside single malt.