Glenfarclas The Family Casks 24 Years Old 1993 Cask #511

A distillery release of Glenfarclas, a 24 year old, from 1993, cask 511, at 57%, 601 bottles in all. Glenfarclas, the glen of green grass, is a richly sherried Speyside single malt. It was licensed in 1836 under Robert Hay and bought in 1865 by John Grant for 511 pounds.

It was drawn from a thick, heavy wash, the direct fired stills lending a nutty depth. Maturation came in an Oloroso sherry cask, layered over the full Glenfarclas make. In the oxidative, evaporative years the spirit concentrates to dried fruit, dark chocolate and a waxy, resinous depth. Active wood drives the maturation, the cask deep in the malt. The full spirit deepens with time, the cask drawing out its darker register. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit. Long ageing turns the fresh notes towards date, prune and a dark, bittersweet chocolate.

At its natural 57% it is rich and chewy. Baked apple, honey and a dark chocolate, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Beneath it run dried fruit, dark sugar and a warm spice. The finish is rounded, dark and spiced. This is a Speyside single malt of real standing.