Glenfarclas The Family Malt Collection 15 Years Old 1992

A 15 year old Glenfarclas, a distillery bottling, from 1992, at 43%. Glenfarclas is a Speyside single malt, the house behind the pioneering 105 cask strength. Its spirit is matured almost wholly in sherry butts brought up from Jerez. Direct firing chars the wash a little, lending the rich, nutty depth Glenfarclas is known for. 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.

It was distilled in copper pot stills, shaping a rich Speyside body with real weight. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, oak lactones lending a creamy vanilla. Into oxidative maturity, slow air builds ripe esters and a darker chocolate, fig and date depth. Active wood drives the maturation, the cask deep in the malt. The wood frames the spirit without ever stripping the full Speyside body.

At 43% it is smooth and rich. A rich orchard sweetness and dark sugar, lifted by a sweet oak. Beneath it run dried fruit, dark sugar and a warm spice. It finishes long, full and fruity. This is a rich Speyside malt of dried fruit and nut.