Glenfarclas 21 Years Old 95 Proof Bottled Exclusively for The Whisky Exchange

Style: Fruity and Spicy

Rating: ☆- [Recommended]

Nose:

A fierce chilli opening followed by early copper notes which descends swiftly to a layer of heavier umami (Am I detecting some very well-hidden sulphur here?). Grape jelly floats up, hints of summer berries which flicks towards to sweet white riesling that gives the aroma a pretty "winey" sensation. Ruby grapes open up at the core, fig biscuits and an honest foundation of vanilla malt. Dry spices tagging onto a rising peppermint, more ethereal meaty brushes from time to time. Fresh red chilli waiting at the back end.

Palate:

Delightful mix of moderately light sherry fruits - blackberries, cranberries, red grapes and figs overcharged and tightened up by the heat. This dram is hotter than the abv suggests. The sweetness slowly cascades and transmutes into a more dessert-like texture, ice-cream cake, brown sugar coated lamingtons and bubblegum as well, quite nice. Crushed cardamom, wood smoke, coconut shavings and just a bit of star anise sprinkled over the top. A rather oily malt at the base, ginger biscuits, popcorns with a faint but intriguing maritime tail.

Finish:

Beautiful combination of velvety sherry, some rice crackers, glazed orange zest and dried seaweeds. Delicious.

Thoughts:

Quite a technical Glenfarclas which shows a similar but different profile of this scotch powerhouse. Sharper than it looks, more spirit-driven than it suggests, more complex than one would assume. Velvety in manners but a feisty character, there are rough edges but somewhat balanced and quite drinkable. Maybe Glenfarclas curved balls is an acquired taste, but I don't mind if we can have more of this.

[54.2% | Original Bottling | 2020 Bottled | Vatted | Oloroso Sherry Cask Matured | Natural Colour | Cask Strength | *-]

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