Glenfarclas Family Reserve 15 Years Old 1982

This official Glenfarclas, a 15 year old, from 1982, at 46%, 1200 bottles in all. 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 was licensed in 1836 under Robert Hay and bought in 1865 by John Grant for 511 pounds. It draws on that deep inventory for the Family Casks, single vintages reaching back to the 1950s.

It was taken gently through wash and spirit stills, for the rich, sherried make Glenfarclas is known for. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak gentle behind the spirit. At oxidative maturity aldehydes lend a nutty edge while ellagitannins draw a drying, structured grip across the fruit. The wood frames the spirit without ever stripping the full Speyside body. The full bodied spirit takes active sherry wood well, carrying its dark sugars through the years.

At 46% it is smooth and rich. A rich orchard sweetness and dark sugar, 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.