Glenfarclas Christmas Edition 27 Years Old 1989

This official Glenfarclas, a 27 year old, from 1989, cask see notes, at 46%, 1200 bottles in all. 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 was licensed in 1836 under Robert Hay and bought in 1865 by John Grant for 511 pounds. Its water rises from the granite of Ben Rinnes, above the distillery at Ballindalloch. Its six stills are the largest in Speyside and among the very few still fired directly, now by gas.

Taken gently through wash and spirit stills, building a deep malt of dried fruit and dark sugar. It was matured in an Oloroso sherry cask, the wood working deep into the malt. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend structure while oxidation builds a richer raisin and treacle. Long ageing turns the fresh notes towards date, prune and a dark, bittersweet chocolate.

At an approachable 46% it is soft and fruity. Orange, raisin and a treacle edge, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Fig, honey and a dark chocolate fill the middle. It finishes long, full and fruity. This is a deep, sherried Speyside single malt.