Glenfarclas 105 Cask Strength

Wonderful, bit of smoke but no peat. Strong flavor of fruit with sharp aftertaste that does not linger.

Glenfarclas 105, 60%, NAS   This is a cask strength Glenfarclas that will definitely kick you in the ass.  It is basically the cask strength sherry bomb that isn’t Aberlour. After giving it some time it’s surprisingly drinkable at cask strength but early on you definitely get hit with all the alcohol.  This one needs time and water but it’s worth the effort. Smelling this after some time the Alcohol burn goes away and you get some of the normal sherry bomb smells. Dried Red Fruits, cranberry, orchard fruits, apple, pear, sweet cherries. The taste (neat) is Bitter red fruits, cranberry and vanilla.  With Water – more of the darker/drier red fruits come out. Figs, dates, raisins as well as apple, pear and bitter orange peel. The finish is Long, sweet, vanilla, baked apple, spice, burnt sugar turning bitter. Smelling and tasting neat starts slow but adding water gets you past the alcohol and really brings out the expected smells of a sherry bomb.  I love the transition this whisky takes over time.  These bottles aren’t cheap but I have been lucky to score a few off auction sites for about $70 all in. I haven’t seen them on the shelves near me for less than $80, usually it’s around $100.  Even at $100 it’s probably worth the effort with the crazy whisky prices of today.    Overall Grade: A 

NOSE Hazelnuts, leather, dried dark fruit, cocoa, dried orchard fruit, citrus peels, butterscotch, copper, and strawberry shortcake. There is a “rust in the rain” aroma to this that’s earthy and warm but a bit metallic. I dig it. PALATE Hazelnuts, leather, dried dark fruit, copper, orange peels, baking spice, cocoa, graham, and a touch of ash. The sherry really peaks through here in a way that makes me think of all the great, old, Glenfarclas I’ve enjoyed. FINISH Long -> Sherry, malt and ashy cocoa.

I’m definitely picking up on the popcorn… it’s almost medicinal on the nose. The palate is an intense Christmas cake that dissolves into a peach yogurt. The finish is creamy popcorn flan 🍮 There’s so much here. I’m not going to be able to explore it all with 3cl. Adding far too much water… The nose becomes more medicinal and floral. The palate is sweet apple and pear pudding with a flaky biscuit crust. The finish is smoother and vanilla comes out to play in the grass and flowers. I love the Glenfarclas 15, but this is a different thing entirely. It reminds me of a “Bunnahabhain Stiùireadair”. I transferred some full strength whiskey to a tumbler glass instead of the Glencairn. Roasted nuts on the nose. The palate remains warmed fruits, cream. The finish is intense and long, lingering pepper, fruit, and milk chocolate. This is a big whiskey, one which is difficult to taste around. But its depth allows a lot of space to play.

Noses of spice and everything nice Med dark color Neat: sharp spice on first tasting with a nice warming of the mouth during after taste. On the Rocks: opens up nicely, reducing the sharpness adding a lovely after taste without "watering down" Not peaty and good example of a highland scotch.