Glenfarclas 27 Years Old 1990 (Authentic Collection)

Cadenhead, Scotland's oldest independent bottler, Aberdeen born in 1842 and now in Campbeltown, bottled this Glenfarclas, distilled in 1990, at 51.9%, one of 210 bottles. Glenfarclas is a Speyside single malt, one of the last great family owned distilleries in Scotch. 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. Its slow, cool dunnage maturation loses very little to the angels each year.

Drawn from a thick, heavy wash, for the rich, sherried make Glenfarclas is known for. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, oak lactones lending a creamy vanilla. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend structure while oxidation builds a richer raisin and treacle. Years in oak deepen the spirit to a darker gold, the body growing rounder and more resinous with time.

At a hearty 51.9% it carries real weight. Orange, raisin and a treacle edge, lifted by a sweet oak. A baked apple and a warm cinnamon lift the middle. A long finish carries raisin, chocolate and a treacle. This is Glenfarclas's deep, fruity Speyside style.