Glenfarclas
- OWNER: J. & G. GRANT
- FOUNDED: 1836
- REGION: SPEYSIDE
- PRONUNCIATION: Glen-FARK-las
One of the only family-owned distilleries in Scotland, and one of the few to still use direct-fired pot stills (perhaps not coincidentally, Springbank also falls into both categories). Glenfarclas was founded in 1836 by Robert Hay; after he passed away, it was purchased by the Grant family, who still own it today. Don’t let the heritage fool you: Glenfarclas is a major distillery, popular with blenders and churning out 3 million liters a year. But it’s also a cult favorite with single malt fans. Fun fact: During the hard times in the late 1970s, the distillery tried to make extra money by farming crayfish in an unused mash tun.
Glenfarclas
Aged 10 Years
Billed as an aperitif whisky, it’s a fine entry-level expression to a much-loved but relatively low-profile single malt brand.
- PRICE $ · RATING
- AGE 10 years old
- ALC/VOL 40%
- NOSE Butterscotch, dried apricot, and raisins with a subtle graininess; a bit of water brings out brighter fruit notes.
- PALATE Medium-bodied but crisp, with a grainy backbone; citrus, tannins, and lightly toasted bread dominate, leading to a quick, dry finish.
- GENERAL A bit thin and unremarkable, but fine as an everyday drink, especially during the summer. The sherry influence is minimal.
Aged 12 Years
Just two years older than the twelve year old, but the two couldn’t be more different. The sherry notes on this whisky are immediate and robust.
- PRICE $ · RATING
- AGE 12 years old
- ALC/VOL 43%
- NOSE Loads of sherry notes up front, with burnt butter, cinnamon, and orange pekoe tea.
- PALATE Coffee candy, bright summer fruits, and a bit of mushroom funk underneath; the sherry becomes more pronounced at the finish.
- GENERAL Significantly more complex than the 10 Year Old; compares well with other twelve-year-old sherried whiskies, like the Macallan.
Glenfarclas
105 Cask Strength
Introduced in 1968, Glenfarclas 105 was the first widely available cask-strength single malt. The “105” refers to the proof (as measured in the slightly different British proofing scale).
- PRICE $$$ · RATING
- AGE No age statement
- ALC/VOL 60%
- NOSE Honey, acetone, Bit-O-Honey, dried leaves; water brings out caramel cubes and maple notes.
- PALATE Port, maple, dark chocolate, and an umami/soy-sauce undertone; the finish lingers with, deliciously, Tootsie Rolls.
- GENERAL A great pick for bourbon lovers—thick and sweet, with a kick, but surprisingly smooth for such a high proof.
Aged 17 Years
The 17 Year Old is sold exclusively in North America, Japan, and at travel retail—a rare instance when giving a bottle to a Scottish friend is not a case of bringing coals to Newcastle.
- PRICE $$$ · RATING
- AGE 17 years old
- ALC/VOL 43%
- NOSE Quite malty, with maple sap, aged rum, and steamed meat; with a drop of water, peppermint and dried apricot emerge.
- PALATE Hoppy, minty, and white-chocolate-y, though not especially sweet; the finish is crisp, with citrus and hop notes.
- GENERAL With the hop notes on the palate, beer lovers will dig this whisky. So will everyone else: It’s complex—robust but sophisticated, bright but with significant depth.
Glenfarclas
Aged 21 Years
Aged in a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry (oloroso and fino) casks.
- PRICE $$$ · RATING
- AGE 21 years old
- ALC/VOL 43%
- NOSE Musty at first, then it opens into honeycomb, orange peel, ginger, and cinnamon; water brings out apricot and raspberry.
- PALATE Very sweet and spicy, round and buttery, with an oily mouthfeel and notes of sugar cookies, strawberry candy, honey, and a touch of mint; the candy notes continue through the finish.
- GENERAL A finely tuned whisky—sweet, spicy, and minty, it’s complex without being precious or fusty.
Aged 25 Years
One of the oldest whiskies to have been aged exclusively in ex-sherry barrels.
- PRICE $$$ · RATING
- AGE 25 years old
- ALC/VOL 43%
- NOSE Fruit cake, brown sugar, and fine leather gloves; water reveals gingerbread and cola.
- PALATE Fall spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, along with maple bacon and cola gum—almost like a high-rye bourbon; the mouthfeel is syrupy and the finish is quick.
- GENERAL A good example of age not dictating quality; while this is a fine whisky, the 21 Year Old is simply better. Still, don’t turn this down; it’s a solid after-dinner drink, and would pair well with aged gouda.