Glenfarclas Limited Rare Bottling 21 Years Old 1993

A 21 year old Glenfarclas, a distillery bottling, from 1993, at 46%, 9000 bottles in all. Glenfarclas is a Speyside single malt, one of the last great family owned distilleries in Scotch. It launched the 105 in 1968, one of the first cask strength single malts sold to the public. It was licensed in 1836 under Robert Hay and bought in 1865 by John Grant for 511 pounds. Its six stills are the largest in Speyside and among the very few still fired directly, now by gas.

The spirit was taken gently through wash and spirit stills, shaping a rich Speyside body with real weight. Maturation came in an Oloroso sherry cask, layered over the full Glenfarclas make. Into oxidative maturity, slow air builds ripe esters and a darker chocolate, fig and date depth. Maturation runs slow and even in the dunnage warehouses at Ballindalloch. Active wood drives the maturation, the cask deep in the malt.

Reduced to 46%, it is mellow and sweet. Orange, raisin and a treacle edge, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Dried fruit and a treacle sit behind the spice. The finish is rounded, dark and spiced. This is a Speyside single malt of real standing.