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| Hello, that is one in every of our (nearly) every day tastings. Santé! |
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September 8, 2021
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WF, kings of awful headlines. I say we must always have performed it fashionable as an alternative, like ‘Seven Glenfarclas, #5 Nearly Killed The Taster’. Or ‘The Seven Glenfarclas Ladies Like Finest’. Or higher but: ‘The Seven Glenfarclas That They Ought to By no means Have Bottled’. Subsequent time, maybe…
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| Glenfarclas on ending, round 2005. All the time beloved this advert. |
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Glenfarclas ‘185th Anniversary’ (46%, OB, 6000 bottles, 2021) 
The ‘one hundred and seventy fifth Anniversary’, again in 2011, had been wonderful IMHO (WF 88) however I am afraid I have never heard a lot since again then, the final ten years appear to have been fairly quiet at Glenfarclas. Color: gold. Nostril: there may be some sherry, however not so much, it is a moderately pure, pastry-like, fat-as-always Speysider, with fairly some vanilla and truffles, then varied natural teas and some raisins. I’ve to say steadiness is ideal, you simply could not discover fault with this one on the nostril. I think some fairly older casks have been concerned, as there’s no single roughness. Mouth: sure, wonderful, fairly fruity, as if it was not less than 25 yr outdated. We’re speaking guavas and mangos, pink bananas, then orange blossom water, custard, overripe apples and a variety of softer spices, cinnamon and caraway first, then a number of mentholy ones, pine liqueur, sultanas… All that works in sync. End: not the longest ever however this fruity freshness stays excellent. Mango cake. Feedback: this one’s most likely been assembled with a lot care; I discover it moderately fruitier than your ‘common’ Glenfarclas. Excessive class certainly, glad anniversary Glenfarclas (sorry if I am late).
SGP:651 – 88 factors. |
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Let’s attempt the common 15 now, to offer perspective…
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Glenfarclas 15 yo (46%, OB, +/-2021) 
Final time I attempted the 15 that was 4 years in the past. Good-not-great. Color: like gold. Nostril: ouch, demise seat after the ‘185th’. Saps and leaves, a drop of bitter wine, the remainder could be very positive, on vanilla, acacia honey, dried figs, tarte tatin and Scottish tablets. Fairly custardy provided that it is moderately a sherried GF, in concept. A contact of rubber too, not unseen. Mouth: caramel, fudge, butterscotch, corn syrup, Lindt’s LIndor chocolate, millionaire shortbread, additionally the same old wee rubber in addition to paraffin within the background. Tends to change into grittier after ten seconds in your palate. End: medium, grassier, dropping its moderately beautiful fudge-iness. I’d say many ‘business’ malts are likely to behave like this, their finishes are by no means their greatest asset. Feedback: fairly on-and-off. As I remembered it, however I insist, the superior ‘185’ might have killed it a wee bit.
SGP:451 – 83 factors. |
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That is one of many quite a few issues with the NAS whiskies, the place do you set them whenever you construct a wee verticale? On condition that legally, they’re solely 3 yr outdated whiskies? Lest you’ve got bought clues as for the precise contents, which just about by no means occurs until you handle to get some reps drunk on gin-and-tonic, in any other case they ‘could not probably remark’. Let’s transfer on with an all-natural Glenfarclas…
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Glenfarclas 10 yo 2008/2018 (58%, Cadenhead, Genuine Assortment, bourbon hogshead, 264 bottles) 
Hearsay has it that Cadenhead do have the fitting to make use of the model ‘Glenfarclas’ (however to not name it Glenfarclas-Glenlivet I suppose, ha) a number of occasions a yr. Color: pale white wine. Nostril: fairly probably probably the most bare Glenfarclas I’ve ever nosed, even the outdated official 5 yo was having extra cask affect. Now it is a good event to grasp that Glenfarclas is a full-bodied spirit, fairly wealthy and full, moderately on smooth oils, waxes and candy doughs (maize), with an orchardy fruitiness that will actually remind us of ex-refill-ASB Aberlour. With water: waxes up, maize down. Mouth (neat): actually bursts with recent pears and apples of all types. Wealthy and candy ones, inexperienced and tarter ones… With water: excellent, all pure certainly, extraordinarily barley-y, with an exquisite honeyness popping out. We frequently point out honey however consider me, this one is shock-full of all-flower honey as soon as you’ve got decreased it with care. Love honey. End: lengthy and moderately excellent. Feedback: keep in mind these crappy outdated jokes about ‘moderately liking your whisky bare’? In any case, perhaps there was some unintentional reality in a few of these foolish jests.
SGP:541 – 86 factors. |
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Glenfarclas 2004/2015 ‘Cask Energy Premium Version’ (59.8%, OB, sherry, 6000 bottles)
I simply discovered this one within the bins. Late as ever. They appear to love the quantity ‘6000 bottles’ at Glenfarclas, perhaps is that the dimensions of their vatting tank on the filling station? Color: full gold. Nostril: this time shoe polish and gun oil are having the lead over some other aromas. You would assume sulphur however these sulphury notes are moderately bordering outdated walnuts, which is fairly ‘sherry’. See what I imply? Plenty of pipe tobacco, Christmas cake (season’s not too far-off), prunes, and that feeling of armagnac that is not unseen in sherried GF. Reminds of the 105 right here and there. With water: some earth and varied different wild smells, mushrooms, moss, outdated stump, pu-her… Mouth (neat): just a little scorching and tough. Uncooked chocolate and occasional liqueur (Kahlua and compadres). With water: as anticipated, meat and soups popping out, cracked pepper, miso, different savoury notes… End: drier, as nearly at all times. Contact of rubber, bitter caramel, espresso… Relatively dry and drying. Sturdy black tea, Latakia tobacco (so far as I can keep in mind), armagnac once more… Feedback: began wealthy and sweeter, grew to become drier and grittier. Not an unseen improvement in ‘sherry monsters’, these might have just a little extra time than simply ten years. Superb, nonetheless.
SGP:661 – 85 factors. |
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Oh, since we have simply talked about Glenfarclas 105…
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Glenfarclas 8 yo ‘105’ (60%, OB, gold label, Eighties) 
A really early ‘105’ with a gold label. There was additionally a ‘104’, which I do not assume I’ve tried, and a a lot earlier ‘8 yo – 105’ underneath the same old white livery, again within the Nineteen Sixties. Astounding whisky! I’d add that I had tried one other 8 – 105 from the mid-Eighties (WF 90) however that one was already sporting the well-known black label, whereas this earlier model was not. Color: gold. Nostril: these whiskies had been a lot meatier, extra savoury, extra on hen soup and tofu-ed miso than the present choices. I do not assume that is solely due to OBE. What’s notably great is all of the mint, additionally different fragrant herbs, camphor, sandalwood, plus the anticipated metallic polish and simply soot. Wonderbar (that is Anglo-German language). With water: tantalising beehive-y notes, high-class outdated Sauternes, some resinous smoke (burning eucalyptus), then bouillon with marrow quenelles, mashed chickpeas, simply menthol… Wow wow wow! Mouth (neat): completely wonderful, extraordinarily wealthy, complicated, stuffed with dried and crystallised fruits (to the brim!) with an unique smokiness and notes of earthy cognac. Superlative, I’d have stated outdated Nineteen Sixties Springbank. Unbelievable, please name the Anti-Maltoporn Brigade! With water: it simply adores water. I consider I am working out of superlatives. End: soups, dried figs, truffles, varied juices, outdated liqueurs, ambrosia (I’d guess), what a present! Feedback: Glenfarclas bottled within the Nineteen Sixties-early Eighties was actually one thing else. What’s extra, I am certain this one was low-cost as chips when you could possibly purchase it on the road. I am completely floored; as Louis Pasteur would have stated, there’s extra philosophy on this wee ‘farclas than in all books.
SGP:662 – 94 factors. |
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In concept, I ought to put an finish to this session now. However that is Whiskyfun…
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Glenfarclas 21 yo ’95° proof’ (54.2%, OB, unique to The Whisky Change, 2020)
Plainly London retains going retro (typically retro-futuristic). Hell, I agree, why attempt to enhance one thing that is excellent? (ask distillers!) Vanitas vanitatum omnia vanitas, in some issues, innovation is simply the artwork of screwing up issues whereas getting paid, a.okay.a. the entrepreneurs’ favorite recreation. Color: full gold. Nostril: hey it does survive and effectively after the super 105, due to a refined meatiness, some wax, sunflower oil, camphor and simply ‘a forgotten outdated bottle of Jaeger’. Every part’s old-school right here, together with the liquid. With water: as usually, earth popping out, mushrooms, outdated wine cellar, saltpetre… There is a tiny perfumy contact too (rose petals, litchi). Mouth (neat): some candy sherry, walnut wine, ginger tonic, beef jerky, black raisins, Korean BBQ with wee bits of kimchi… With water: gentler and extra, as an instance ‘conventional’. Malt, honey, tarte tatin and raisins. The sherry bought a lot sweeter, nearly ‘PX’. Did you discover that PX in whisky has gotten frequent as houseflies lately? End: fairly lengthy, candy, with balsamic touches. Feedback: this complicated GF was not crushed by the stupendous 105 in any respect, which says so much. Nice drop, preserve a bottle till… the yr 2060.
SGP:651 – 90 factors. |
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Did not we are saying seven Glenfarclas (de la muerte)?
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My Favorite Distillery 33 yo 1976/2010 (53%, Thosop Import, Speyside, bourbon cask, cask #1420)
From once we had been nonetheless doing labels for pals – casually. This IS Glenfarclas. Seems like I’ve by no means revealed any ‘official’ notes for this child from the great ol’ occasions, so right here I’m, late as ever… (sorry Luc)… Color: gold. Nostril: coconut wine in Glenfarclas? Certain, when it is ex-fresh bourbon. There’s additionally a vanilla-ed creaminess, absolutely loads of sunflower oil, some nougat, fudge, halva, peanut syrup (a brand new factor I’ve simply present in a store right here in Alsace, find it irresistible even when it is just a little candy for me), honeycomb, custard… With water: wee touches of resins, saps and yellow flowers. Our expensive buttercups (‘Do you want butter?’) Mouth (neat): vivid and syrupy on the similar time, with some coconut once more (not that vulgar plankish factor that you’d typically get from recent American oak), banana foam, apricots and actually loads of honey and preserved mirabelles. Forgot to say quinces. I am undecided I’d have stated ‘Glenfarclas’ earlier in… 2010. With water: will get actually candy and creamy, cake-y, with much more quinces and mirabelles. I would not have stated Glenfarclas, I’d have stated Balvenie (have you ever no sense of disgrace, S.?) End: smooth touchdown with the identical combo in motion. Feedback: as Methuselah would have stated, these had been the times.
SGP:641 – 91 factors. |
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That is seven. Auf Wiedersehen.
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(On the following day)… maintain on, we had been so happy with these Glenfarclasses that we double-checked what we had been having within the bins and simply discovered just a little extra…. (true story)
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Glenfarclas 10 yo 2005/2015 (60.7%, OB, Taiwan, Single Cask, sherry, cask #2425, 635 bottles)
There is a tiger on the label, so it is for Taiwan (tempo e salute, Taiwanese pals!) Color: cognac (if it had been cognac, we’d have stated whisky, um…) Nostril: it is actually wealthy and feels candy and jammy at first sniffs. Tons of raisins and prunes, a number of pencil shavings within the background, Mars bars, Twix (similar maker) and simply liquid caramel and chocolate. With water: very good, meatier and soupier, as anticipated. The standard marrow, beef jerky, quenelles, this one wants time however would then by no means cease bettering on the nostril. Walnuts and tobacco., that was anticipated too. Mouth (neat): actually huge, peppery, with extra of these pencil shavings, some menthol, marmalade… However boy is it sturdy, so, with water: fruitier (marmalades, jams), spicier as effectively. Relatively loads of cinnamon and some gingery touches. End: very lengthy, at all times with these wooden shavings within the background. Feedback: completely wonderful, simply the oak was a tad an excessive amount of within the entrance for me.
SGP:561 – 85 factors. |
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Glenfarclas 21 yo (43%, OB, +/-2017)
Final time I attempted the moderately in style 21, that was in 2012 and it was just a little weak (WF 80). Not proud. This isn’t a really current batch however there, let’s attempt it, we’ll discover a newer bottling later. Maybe. The 43% vol. do really feel just a little outdated by right this moment’s requirements. Color: gold. Nostril: it truly is extraordinarily smooth and even shy, with moderately crushed recent almonds and walnuts. That may give it a fino-y aspect that is at all times a success at WF Towers, however the entire stays extraordinarily low-key. A really specific spot within the official vary. Mouth: I discover it good and, actually, not that smooth and shy on the palate. Looks like a solution to large-scale softer Speysiders corresponding to Glenlivet or Glenfiddich. Or Macallan Effective Oak however I do not assume that one already existed after they launched Glenfarclas 21. Anyway, good drop, very simple, just a little leafy. Manner higher than I remembered it, which at all times pleases me after all. End: quick and just a little too dry and leafy, loses a few of the factors it had simply earned. Bah… Feedback: not my enterprise however they might have to crank up the quantity, the juice would clearly deserve that.
SGP:441 – 83 factors. |
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Glenfarclas 2007/2016 (51.1%, OB for The Whisky Change, sherry, casks #435+456)
Pretty reuse of the outdated lettering. Color: deep gold. Nostril: oh that is actually humorous and purely the results of probability, this child actually feels just like the 21 with many extra watts. Fantastic almonds and walnuts, marzipan, amaretti soaked in grappa (I do what I need), then inexperienced teas and the subtlest raisiny aspect. I am glad I used to be nonetheless having this one on the aspect. With water: some toasted bread, a wee feeling of botrytis, absolutely some beeswax… Actually not the primary time a mix of solely two casks would generate some larger complexity then from a single cask. Mouth (neat): extraordinarily good, actually. Quince and mirabelle jams, so some ‘candy’ sherry, Jaffa truffles, a beautiful wee contact of cracked pepper blended with just a little gunpowder (for an extra-kick, ha), some tobacco, some uncooked chocolate… Actually happy certainly. With water: mushrooms and a contact of candy curry, raisins, maple syrup… End: lengthy moderately smoother. Chamomile and nougats plus juicy golden sultanas. Feedback: at occasions you’ll have believed they’d moderately married one sherry with one bourbon.
SGP:651 – 89 factors. |
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Maybe a really final one, as a session that goes to eleven is simply sufficient. Let’s make it a type of well-known Household Casks.
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Glenfarclas 1990/2015 (54%, OB, Household Casks, for HNWS, sherry butt, cask #4710, 614 bottles)
Color: Darkish purple amber. Nostril: arch-classic sherried Glenfarclas, moderately wealthy, oh-so barely meaty, stuffed with dried fruits, Christmas cake, with a wee drop of mocha and, above every little thing, an excellent 5 kilograms of moist pipe tobacco. With water: menthol, sage, chives and lovage coming out, I can not see who could be towards that. Good evolution of a deeply sherried malt as soon as correct discount was executed. Mouth (neat): excellent, with moderately loads of liquorice, which is just a little uncommon with this model, in any other case truckloads of dried fruits, the raisins being on prime. Completely Glenfarclas as in Glenfarclas. With water: swims completely. Died beef (clearly, I had supposed to write down ‘dried’), raisins, chestnuts, tobacco, espresso, mole sauce… That is excellent. End: lengthy, very chocolaty, with some mint. Skinny mints, not the primary time we’re making an attempt a Glenfarclas that will show skinny mints. Feedback: extraordinarily basic, a JS Bach of malt whisky.
SGP:561 – 90 factors. |
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