Glenfarclas The Family Casks 46 Years Old 1971

Glenfarclas from the distillery, a 46 year old, from 1971, cask 151, at 47%, 424 bottles in all. Glenfarclas is a Speyside single malt from Ballindalloch, in the heart of Speyside. It launched the 105 in 1968, one of the first cask strength single malts sold to the public. It holds some sixty eight thousand casks on site in dunnage warehouses, with stock from every year since 1953. It was licensed in 1836 under Robert Hay and bought in 1865 by John Grant for 511 pounds.

Distilled in copper pot stills, the direct fired stills lending a nutty depth. An Oloroso sherry cask held it, drawing the rich spirit on over the years. In its ethereal years the malt turns waxy and oxidative, faded esters and a whisper of sotolon over dark fruit. Long ageing turns the fresh notes towards date, prune and a dark, bittersweet chocolate. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit.

Bottled at a cask strength 47%, it is deep and concentrated. A rich, sherried sweetness, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. A dark chocolate and a soft oak give it weight. The finish is long, rich and spiced. This is a richly sherried Speyside single malt.