Glenfarclas Christmas Single Highland Malt 21 Years Old 1980 Cask #11047

Glenfarclas from the distillery, a 21 year old, from 1980, cask 11047, at 54.8%, 627 bottles in all. Glenfarclas is a Speyside single malt from Ballindalloch, in the heart of Speyside. It holds some sixty eight thousand casks on site in dunnage warehouses, with stock from every year since 1953. Direct firing chars the wash a little, lending the rich, nutty depth Glenfarclas is known for.

It was drawn from a thick, heavy wash, for the rich, sherried make Glenfarclas is known for. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the American oak lending vanilla and a light honey. Through oxidative maturity the esters concentrate, the orchard notes turning to raisin, fig and a dark chocolate. The wood frames the spirit without ever stripping the full Speyside body. Years in oak deepen the spirit to a darker gold, the body growing rounder and more resinous with time. The full spirit deepens with time, the cask drawing out its darker register.

At its natural 54.8% it is rich and chewy. A rich orchard sweetness and dark sugar, lifted by a sweet oak. Beneath it run dried fruit, dark sugar and a warm spice. It finishes long, full and fruity. This is a rich Speyside malt of dried fruit and nut.