Glenfarclas 12 Year

Sherry notes are very forward on the nose along with hints of grass and toasted cereal. The initial taste is fruity with apple and something sweet. Not much barrel spice and a bit of smoke or that toasted cereal again. It starts off smooth but there is some cinnamon burn on the finish that I seem to get from most Highland Scotches.

Initial taste provided me parts of green apple, cherries, and a bit of black licorice. It seemed to increase in spiciness and a bit astringent on the tongue and back of the throat. Overall I wasn’t initially impressed served neat. I added a few drops of water to open the flavors which really made a difference to me. The initial bitter/sour flavors mellowed allowing the oak and char to come through more predominately. There was still a bit of burn in the throat, but much nicer than before. It finished with a pleasant smooth oak taste.

N: Green apples, and bright tropical fruit like lychees and melon. Slightly nutty. P: dry white wine, apricot, mineral, strawberry F: clean, dry, gentle fruit This is one of the staple entry level malts on my shelf, one of the better values you can buy and a good introduction to gentle sherried Highland malts.