Glenfarclas The Family Casks 32 Years Old 1990

This official Glenfarclas, a 32 year old, from 1990, cask 5125, at 51.3%, 543 bottles in all. Glenfarclas is a Speyside single malt drawn from the largest, direct fired stills in Speyside. It launched the 105 in 1968, one of the first cask strength single malts sold to the public. It has been run by six generations of the Grant family, one of Scotch whisky's last truly independent houses.

Distilled to a rich, generous cut, giving a deep, full bodied Speyside spirit. Maturation came in an Oloroso sherry cask, layered over the full Glenfarclas make. In its ethereal years the malt turns waxy and oxidative, faded esters and a whisper of sotolon over dark fruit. Maturation runs slow and even in the dunnage warehouses at Ballindalloch. 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 a hearty 51.3% it carries real weight. A rich, sherried sweetness, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. A baked apple and a warm cinnamon lift the middle. It finishes long, full and fruity. This is a rich Speyside malt of dried fruit and nut.