Glenfarclas 13 Year Old SMWS Textbook 1.294 56.7%

The nose initially dominated by leafy sherry notes and warming wood spices. We agreed this one displayed a classical, slightly salty and earthy oloroso influence with additional notes of camphor, dunnage earthiness and plum cake. Some water brought out sultanas, Dundee cake and game meats with a hint of sweet stout. Neat, the palate was back to the wood spice profile and also displayed unlit cigars, treacle, rum 'n' raisin ice cream and hints of cinnamon. With water we got coffee and walnut cake, caramelised brown sugar, bitter cocoa and some lovely hints of salted caramel and orange oils. This was matured in a bourbon hogshead for nine years before being transferred to a first fill American oak oloroso hogshead.

Glenfarclas a Speyside distillery is located in Ballindalloch, Banffshire. Its is family owned by J. & G. Grant Ltd. The distillery was founded in 1836 by Robert Hay and after his passing, John Grant and his son George bought Glenfarclas. After a five year period of the distillery being leased to John Smith at The Glenlivet Distillery J. & G. Grant Ltd took over. The distilled is one of the few that can produce whisky that is 40 years and over fairly frequently. In 2007 The Family Casks range was launched which interestingly was a line of single cask bottling’s spanning 43 successive years. In 2021 a 185th anniversary whisky was released. Then in 2022 an impressive 50 year old Glenfarclas whisky came to market. The wide ranging core range includes an 8, 10, 12, 15, 21 and 25 year old. Plus theres also the none age Heritage and the 105 Cask Strength single malt available.

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