Glenfarclas The Family Casks 39 Years Old 1979

This official Glenfarclas, a 39 year old, from 1979, cask 8796, at 49.4%, 211 bottles in all. Glenfarclas is a deep, dark Speyside malt of dried fruit, nut and spice. It was licensed in 1836 under Robert Hay and bought in 1865 by John Grant for 511 pounds. It has been run by six generations of the Grant family, one of Scotch whisky's last truly independent houses.

The spirit was distilled to a rich, generous cut, giving a deep, full bodied Speyside spirit. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the full character to the fore. In its ethereal years the malt turns waxy and oxidative, faded esters and a whisper of sotolon over dark fruit. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit. The full spirit deepens with time, the cask drawing out its darker register. Years in oak deepen the spirit to a darker gold, the body growing rounder and more resinous with time.

At its natural 49.4% it is rich and chewy. A rich orchard sweetness and dark sugar, lifted by a sweet oak. The mouthfeel is full and coating, the fruit dark and sweet. The finish runs long, full and warming. This is the family sherry malt of Ballindalloch.