Glenfarclas The Family Casks 40 Years Old 1977 Cask #8204

This official Glenfarclas, a 40 year old, from 1977, cask 8204, at 43.9%, 176 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. Its whiskies are bottled at their natural colour, without chill filtration.

The spirit was drawn from a thick, heavy wash, the direct fired stills lending a nutty depth. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, oak lactones lending a creamy vanilla. 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. Years in oak deepen the spirit to a darker gold, the body growing rounder and more resinous with time.

At a hearty 43.9% it carries real weight. A rich orchard sweetness and dark sugar, lifted by a sweet oak. Dried fruit and a treacle sit behind the spice. It finishes long, full and fruity. This is a Speyside single malt of real standing.