Glenfarclas Limited Rare Bottling 11 Years Old 1990

Glenfarclas from the distillery, an 11 year old, from 1990, at 46%. Glenfarclas is a Speyside single malt drawn from the largest, direct fired stills in Speyside. It holds some sixty eight thousand casks on site in dunnage warehouses, with stock from every year since 1953. It draws on that deep inventory for the Family Casks, single vintages reaching back to the 1950s. Its spirit is matured almost wholly in sherry butts brought up from Jerez. Direct firing chars the wash a little, lending the rich, nutty depth Glenfarclas is known for.

It was drawn from a thick, heavy wash, giving a deep, full bodied Speyside spirit. Maturation came in a Fino sherry cask, layered over the full Glenfarclas make. By the integrating teens the raw notes fade and esters build, the rich spirit growing rounder and darker. The cool, slow dunnage ageing loses little to evaporation, the spirit holding its depth.

At an approachable 46% it is soft and fruity. Orange, raisin and a treacle edge, with a dry, saline, almond note from the cask. Beneath it run dried fruit, dark sugar and a warm spice. Dried fruit, spice and a soft oak see it out. This is a Speyside single malt of real standing.