Glenfarclas The Family Casks 29 Years Old 1978

A distillery release of Glenfarclas, a 29 year old, from 1978, cask 587, at 50.3%, 257 bottles in all. Glenfarclas is a Speyside single malt from Ballindalloch, in the heart of Speyside. Its water rises from the granite of Ben Rinnes, above the distillery at Ballindalloch. Its whiskies are bottled at their natural colour, without chill filtration.

Worked unhurried through the stillhouse, the direct fired stills lending a nutty depth. It was matured in an Oloroso sherry cask, the wood working deep into the malt. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend structure while oxidation builds a richer raisin and treacle. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit. Active wood drives the maturation, the cask deep in the malt. The full bodied spirit takes active sherry wood well, carrying its dark sugars through the years.

At a natural 50.3% it is full and rich. Raisin, chocolate and a warm spice, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Beneath it run dried fruit, dark sugar and a warm spice. The finish runs long, full and warming. This is the family sherry malt of Ballindalloch.