This classic whisky sits in the middle of the core domestic range of the Speyside distillery of Glenfarclas. It is one of Scotland’s last remaining single malt distilleries that remains under the ownership of the family of the original founder. The current chairman is the fifth generation John L. S. Grant, who took up the role in 2002. Glenfarclas translates as the ‘valley of the green grass’ from the local Gaelic and is one of the best selling Scotch single malt whiskies.
Glenfarclas was founded in 1836 by John S. Grant, close to the village of Ballindalloch in the heart of the Speyside region and on the site of an illegal distillery from the late 1790s. Glenfarclas has the largest stills of any distillery in Speyside and has an annual production capacity of 3.5 million litres of whisky per year. The majority of this is released as single malt and has a worldwide fan base. Its main markets are southern Europe, America, the UK and the Far East. Sales in 2022 topped 2.5 million bottles in a year for the first time.
Glenfarclas is well known for the use of quality ex-sherry casks during the maturation of their whisky. The current core range is extensive and covers different ages between 8- and 25 years old. They have some of the oldest maturing stocks in Scotland due to the consistency of ownership. This enables Glenfarclas to regularly releases whiskies of extreme age including the legendary Family Casks series, which has vintages ranging from the early 1950s to early 2010s.
Glenfarclas 15 years old is bottled at 46% ABV and is both non-chill filtered and of natural colour. It is available worldwide in specialist whisky retailers and should cost £70-75.
Our Tasting Notes
The colour is a gorgeous dark amber and the nose is fragrant, rich and enticing. Aromas of dried fruit (think of raisins, sultanas and candied peel especially), bittersweet malted barley grains and a hint of dark chocolate appear first. These are followed by plenty of caramel, prunes and hints of cocoa powder and sandalwood.
On the palate, this is thick, rich and syrupy. It coats your mouth with notes of caramel coming through early on. This intense sweetness is balanced by some distinct drying woody notes that are reminiscent of antique furniture with hints of freshly sawn oak towrds the end. The sweet dried fruit , especially the raisins and prunes evolve nicely to add further depth of flavour. The malty and chocolate-like characteristics from the nose also mingle with warming spices – imagine pinches of cinnamon and nutmeg with a hint of fresh gingerbread. The overall mix is reminiscent of a good Christmas cake or pudding.
The finish is long, smooth and intense. The dark dried fruit becoming almost more juicy and sugary with time. The caramel note also holds well and that oakiness from before comes through well at the end to give a pleasant dryness. Hints of roasted coffee beans, dark chocolate and walnut also develop to add great complexity.
What’s The Verdict?
The Glenfarclas 15 years old is an excellent and sumptuous example of a sherry cask matured whisky and has an old-fashioned feel to it, almost how whisky used to be. The bold aromas and flavours from the sherry influence are delicious and reminiscent of Christmas cake, as mentioned. The balance is fabulous as is the depth and complexity. Glenfarclas is a Speyside gem and this is a whisky that just has to be tried.
