Glenfarclas The Family Casks 29 Years Old 1994

A distillery release of Glenfarclas, a 29 year old, from 1994, cask 2958, at 53.6%, 472 bottles in all. Glenfarclas is a richly sherried Speyside single malt, run by the Grant family since 1865. 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.

Run slowly off the spirit still, for a weighty, nutty spirit the sherry then deepens. It was fully matured in an Oloroso sherry cask, the wood deep in the rich spirit. In the oxidative, evaporative years the spirit concentrates to dried fruit, dark chocolate and a waxy, resinous depth. The full bodied spirit takes active sherry wood well, carrying its dark sugars through the years. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit.

At 53.6%, undiluted, it is dark and full. Orange, raisin and a treacle edge, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. The mouthfeel is full and coating, the fruit dark and sweet. The close is rich and dark, fruit over a warm spice. This is Glenfarclas's deep, fruity Speyside style.