Glenfarclas Limited Rare Bottling 17 Years Old 1993

This official Glenfarclas, a 17 year old, from 1993, cask see note, at 46%, 3600 bottles in all. Glenfarclas, the glen of green grass, is a richly sherried Speyside single malt. Direct firing chars the wash a little, lending the rich, nutty depth Glenfarclas is known for. Its water rises from the granite of Ben Rinnes, above the distillery at Ballindalloch.

It was distilled in copper pot stills, shaping a rich Speyside body with real weight. An Oloroso sherry cask held it, drawing the rich spirit on over the years. At oxidative maturity aldehydes lend a nutty edge while ellagitannins draw a drying, structured grip across the fruit. The full spirit deepens with time, the cask drawing out its darker register. The full bodied spirit takes active sherry wood well, carrying its dark sugars through the years. Years in oak deepen the spirit to a darker gold, the body growing rounder and more resinous with time.

Reduced to 46%, it is mellow and sweet. A rich orchard sweetness and dark sugar, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Fig, honey and a dark chocolate fill the middle. A long finish carries raisin, chocolate and a treacle. This is Glenfarclas's deep, fruity Speyside style.