Glenfarclas The Family Casks 24 Years Old 1998

Glenfarclas from the distillery, a 24 year old, from 1998, cask 3723, at 54.2%, 557 bottles in all. Glenfarclas is a richly sherried Speyside single malt, run by the Grant family since 1865. Direct firing chars the wash a little, lending the rich, nutty depth Glenfarclas is known for. Its spirit is matured almost wholly in sherry butts brought up from Jerez. Its six stills are the largest in Speyside and among the very few still fired directly, now by gas.

It was run slowly off the spirit still, shaping a rich Speyside body with real weight. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, a soft vanilla beneath the fruit. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend structure while oxidation builds a richer raisin and treacle. Years in oak deepen the spirit to a darker gold, the body growing rounder and more resinous with time. The cool, slow dunnage ageing loses little to evaporation, the spirit holding its depth.

At 54.2%, undiluted, it is dark and full. A rich orchard sweetness and dark sugar, lifted by a sweet oak. The body is full and rich, the fruit deep and dark. The finish runs long, full and warming. This is the family sherry malt of Ballindalloch.