Glenfarclas 22yr old 105 CS

Taste - (w/o water) Intense dark apple cider, hints of richly barrel aged apple-cherry cider, dark simple, dark chocolate, cinnamon, heat increases w/ subsequent sips, raisiny/nutty sherry (w/ water) Reduced heat, more vibrant/bright, heat appears much later, dark apple cider, hint of orange zest, raisiny cinnamon red hots Finish - (w/o water) Lingering heat, bitter dark chocolate, hints of dark syrupy but not overly sweet raisins (w/ water) Pretty much the same Score - 82/100 Final Thoughts - I have very mixed feelings about this one as the initial nose without water was very unique & had hints of cherry candies but this didn't really translate to the palate where it was more of the traditional dark raisiny sherry vibe mixed with unsweetened cocoa that really cut back the sweetness. A bit of water brought out some orange notes, but it seemed like it was dehydrated orange slices dipped in unsweetened dark chocolate. This wasn't bad, but it seemed like it was a very confused Scotch. It nosed like it wanted to be a desserty Scotch, but hit the palate like a candy maker that forgot to add sugar to their chocolate. It definitely had the nose and mouthfeel of an older Scotch, but just felt a bit off. Would I drink it if offered? - Yes Would I specifically order it? - No Would I buy a bottle? - No NOTE - All reviews are done without factoring in price.

Glenfarclas tasting night at The Oak Barrel, Sydney, 4 July 2019. Whisky #6 Nose: Delicious fruity and cereal aromas melded with subtle sherry. Toasted muesli, honeysuckle, Jersey caramels, fresh brioche, a bouquet of spring flowers (!), toasted almonds, vanilla cupcakes, orange water, raisins, dates, glace cherries, sultanas, dried figs, a soft sweet sherry note, gold rum and some dusky exotic spices. There is a reserved oaky presence, more like a beeswax-polished oak dresser than a whisky cask, or maybe like a whiff of sandalwood incense, and absolutely no trace of obvious alcohol. Nosing this was like smelling my grandmother’s kitchen when she was making the Christmas puddings. Palate: Sweet, rich, honeyed and nutty arrival. The development shows orchard and tropical fruits, crème fraiche drizzled with leatherwood honey, cinnamon and mild ginger powder, mint, cooked oatmeal, toasted sesame seeds and butter. Adding water expands this dram in the most astonishing way by unleashing a reservoir of unusual spicy notes. It gains fragrant flowers and Keemun tea, allspice, tumeric, orange marmalade, fennel and caraway seed along with fig jam and quince paste. The texture is initially creamy but with water becomes viscous and oily. Finish: Long. The enormous complexity of the palate subsides into a multi-faceted savory-sweet aftertaste. An excellent whisky that has the bold presentation of the regular 105, but is not focused on intense dark aromas and flavours, and instead showcases light cereal and fruit characteristics. In fact, it's better to think of this as just "Glenfarclas 22" and forget all about the 105 reference, because this and the 105 are not at all alike in profile. This is an elegant, mature whisky that just happens to be presented at 60% abv. The palate is very complex and large, with an almost indefinable “strong subtlety” of profile. The cask presence is excellent, and it has that touch of sandalwood about it that is found in the 17 year old, and to a lesser degree in the 25, but not so much in the 105. Most surprisingly, the high alcohol content is almost undetectable in this dram, on either the nose or palate. This truly is a cask-strength whisky that can be enjoyed neat without any burn at all, but that said I would strongly encourage taking it with a good dash of water, as this transforms the palate into something quite sublime. It’s an excellent whisky, and good value at the price. Highly recommended if you can find it. I would have bought a bottle on the night but sadly stocks were very limited and I wasn’t fast enough. “Excellent” : 88/100 (4.5 stars)