Glenfarclas 21 Year

I have become a GF fan with the 10 and 12 both impressing. Quite a jump up pricewise however for a 21 yr scotch this is great value(if its good). Ok its good ....real good. It is not in the realm of other aged sherry heavyweights such as Glendronich and Macallen. That said I have become such a fan of the GF profile Im wanting to give this a fair shot.. Poured neat nose is restrained, time and a drop help it relax. This is quite similar to the 12 in notes with the candy fruits, oaky malt sugars and wispy smoke. Adds a bit of banana peel and some old baseball card gum. Palate is soft and supple delivery of balanced barrel tannins with sweet malt and singed brown sugar sprinkled pie crust. Dried dark fruits and bit of spice round it out. Finish is long and drying malt, heavy oak and quick fade fruits with some aged leather for good measure. This is not a powerhouse with deep dense flavors it is however a well integrated refined satisfying scotch. I don't think I would buy again at $139 as I don't see the major leap from the rest of the line. Head to head yeah Im sure it smokes the 10 and 12 but have them a month apart and this is harder to justify. I have no regrets buying though as its absolutely delicious. Its just if I spend higher$$ on whiskey I want to get something out of it, the GD 18 delivers that experience in spades. Overall a wonderful scotch that just doesn't wow me for price point.......91/100.....I may eat my words as I go through this bottle and raise the score time will tell. If you just want to see a 21 on your shelf you cant go wrong with GF

Nose: light smoke and apple, a bit spicy. Taste: oh this good. Vanilla and honey, I cant taste the smoke but there is some spice to it. Also some fruit.

It manages to capture everything that is good about highland scotch without managing to wandering into great. Warm and inviting the light peat balances against the overall sweetness and sherry notes. Honestly I imagine this is a scotch that is divisive on the top end, the dividing line between good and great for different people.

Oh my word. This may be my new fav dram.

I was just given this bottle of Glenfarclas 21 for my birthday. What better way to usher in 2021 than with a 21 year old spirit in hand. With a fresh bottle pop, the nose provides clover honey and green apple. Over time, sumptuous caramel drizzles over bananas, which brings me back for several dessert-inspired whiffs. My first sip of Glenfarclas 21 has a bold initial sensation of white pepper, crisp tart apple and a notable salinity with subtle oak and tobacco in the distance. Over time, more of the ex-oloroso sherry cask and European oak spice flavours emerge. The finish is a long series of waves by the seaside; brine, a puff from an old wooden pipe, sweet grass and vanilla. Amidst a precise spicy tap dance on the tongue, this has a light, barely oily mouthfeel and gently dry finish. This dram is smooth and enjoyable to drink and evolves beautifully over time. 9/10