Glenfarclas The Family Casks 29 Years Old 1989

This official Glenfarclas, a 29 year old, from 1989, cask 13010, at 51.4%, 614 bottles in all. Glenfarclas is a deep, dark Speyside malt of dried fruit, nut and spice. 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. Its six stills are the largest in Speyside and among the very few still fired directly, now by gas.

Distilled in copper pot stills, shaping a rich Speyside body with real weight. It was fully matured in an Oloroso sherry cask, the wood deep in the rich spirit. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend structure while oxidation builds a richer raisin and treacle. The cool, slow dunnage ageing loses little to evaporation, the spirit holding its depth. Years in oak deepen the spirit to a darker gold, the body growing rounder and more resinous with time.

At 51.4%, undiluted, it is dark and full. Baked apple, honey and a dark chocolate, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. The mouthfeel is full and coating, the fruit dark and sweet. The finish is long, rich and spiced. This is a deep, sherried Speyside single malt.