The Whiskey Reviewer A World of Whiskey, Poured Every Weekday
By Kurt Maitland
Rating: A-
The Glenfarclas 17 Year Old
(Credit: The Glenfarclas)
Glenfarclas, which means “valley of the green grass,” is a Speyside whisky distillery in Ballindalloch. The Glenfarclas Distillery was first granted a license in 1836, and in an extreme rarity for Scottish distilleries, has been owned and managed by just one family since 1865. In an industry marked by stories of buy-outs, trade-offs, mergers and acquisitions, Glenfarclas has always been owned and operated by the Grants.
Glenfarclas produces a traditional Highland malt with a heavy sherry influence (i.e. it’s a sherry bomb) that some compare favorably to fan favorites like The Macallan. The distillery has approximately 50,000 casks maturing on site, with stock from every year from 1952 to the present. In my mind, the Grant family’s careful cultivation of the distillery and its whisky stock is part of why they have been able to stay independent for so long, because that cultivation has led to some excellent whisky. Their 17 year old expression is bottled at 43% ABV.
The Scotch
Color: Old gold.
Nose: Cocoa powder, light ginger, freshly peeled orange citrus and freshly baked fruit cake.
Taste: Simply beautiful. A well-sherried whisky that is the Scotch equivalent of a milkshake, and in all of the best ways. Full bodied, well rounded, sweet from the sherry yet balanced throughout (i.e. not too sweet but just sweet enough). I got Tootsie Roll, brownie with walnut, and some fruit cake. This release works well at 86 proof and I’m a guy who has a fondness for cask strength.
Mouthfeel: Soft and slightly oily at first before turning a little bitter.
Finish: A little spicy/some orange/citrus from the sherry cask and the cocoa from the nose stays with you throughout. There is a bit of
For me, Glenfarclas as a brand is one of the best sherried whiskies on the market. Well priced throughout the line (be it the 10, 12, 15, 17 all the way through to the 40 yr old) you really can’t go wrong with Glenfarclas, especially if you like sherry bombs. The 17 yr old release continues the high bar of quality that has been set by this iconic distillery and Glenfarclas should be part of any well stocked whisky shelf.
The Price
In the US, this release runs around $95 but you might luck into it cheaper in certain states.
