Glenfarclas Christmas Edition 24 Years Old 1990

A distillery release of Glenfarclas, a 24 year old, from 1990, cask 11846-48,11999-12001, at 46%, 1200 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.

It was distilled in copper pot stills, for a weighty, nutty spirit the sherry then deepens. Maturation came in an Oloroso sherry cask, layered over the full Glenfarclas make. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend structure while oxidation builds a richer raisin and treacle. The wood frames the spirit without ever stripping the full Speyside body. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit. The cool, slow dunnage ageing loses little to evaporation, the spirit holding its depth. The full bodied spirit takes active sherry wood well, carrying its dark sugars through the years.

At 46% it is smooth and rich. Orange, raisin and a treacle edge, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Beneath it run dried fruit, dark sugar and a warm spice. A deep finish ends on dried fruit and a dark chocolate. This is a deep, sherried Speyside single malt.