Glenfarclas 25 Year

I recently did a tasting vertical of Glenfarclas 12, 15, 17, 21 and 25 along with the 105 NAS. I have full bottles of the 12, 17 and 105 NAS and got a sample set of the others to see what I was missing. My feeling is that I was not missing much. It seems like GF peaks at around 17-18 years with their production offerings. I suspect that any really good older barrels are being sold as single cask offerings. I found the distallate throughout the range has a consistent sherry and oaky profile with it getting a little spicier up to 21 years and more oaky at 25 years. In a blind tasting I don't think the 25 would fare as well as the younger offerings. The GF 25 really could use a higher proof. The flavor seemed thin and watered down and I really could not pick out much difference from the 21-year-old. It felt a little bit tired honestly. The great thing is that it is one of the most inexpensive 25-year old whiskys you can find, however, the downside is that it is obvious why it is so inexpensive. I have never had the family casks, single bottlings which from what I have heard is where Glenfarclas really shines. This may be the best example that "age isn't everything." My advice is to stick to the 17 and 105 NAS for your Glenfarclas fix.

After reading many great reviews that this is probably the best VFM 25 year old here on Distiller, I am finally getting around to trying this legendary whisky. The nose is very rich starting with a sherry grape mustiness alongside roasted nuts of almond and macadamia. After the initial sherry notes, comes floral notes of orange blossom, honeysuckle that transitions to fruits of honey dew, apricots, lychee, dehydrated apple chips that slowly fades to light spices of ginger, cinnamon, leather and old polished mahogany with light ethanol burn. The taste starts with a rich and viscous mouthfeel with sherry notes of dark chocolate covered raisins, then roasted nuts, leading to fruits of honey dew, oranges, apple chips, apricots and lychee before a slow transition to light spices of ginger, cloves, cinnamon sticks, leather, and old polished mahogany with light ethanol burn. The finish is medium length with a sherry blast first with dark chocolate covered raisins and musty grape then orange peel, candied ginger, peach ring candy, toasted walnuts, macadamia, cloves, leather and old polished mahogany. After having the 17, I was worried for another bitter fruit zest finish, but the flavors are integrated wonderfully with the sherry notes leading before a harmonious mix of floral and fruits that finishes with light barrel spices and well-aged leather and oak notes. Unfortunately, it appears I found out about this too late, as the Virginia ABC is now selling these for 245 instead of the 170 it was prior. It's still a good VFM whisky compared to other 25 year olds and thanks for the generous sample @ContemplativeFox.

Sherry and spice, nose with orange. Sharp flavour

Stamped 3 15 25 BB, if that’s relevant. Nothing impressive with the packaging and with a crack and first whiff - just sweet malt character. The color is a golden amber and appears viscous in the glass, more so than the 43%ABV would lead me to believe. There is a sweet, almost maple wood note that leads with cherries and baked goods (vanilla frosted cinnamon roll) in support. There’s a bit of cerasote as well but not smoke and certainly not peat. Bits of chocolate cake, raisin, cigar box, marzipan and an almswood like spice. Just fantastic the more I take it in and breathe it out. It just rolls out slowly, nothing about this is in a hurry. No sharp turns, no surprises. A burst of roasted, caramel iced malt cereal rolls into raisins and vanilla. The palate is oily and the viscosity takes a moment it make itself know. A bit of heat and baking spice show up late alongside stewed apples, more floral vanilla, a bourbon-esque dried oak note and a well seasoned resin pipe tobacco. It’s every bit as aged and sweet/earthy and satisfying as some of my favorite well aged bourbons if not more so . Simile heat, similar body and similar finish. The beginning is quite different. Whereas this starts bright with malted grain most bourbon tends to lead with oak thanks to the new American oak barrels. More than a few seconds in though... the dried fruit, subtle spice, earthy sweetness... wow. One bottle of Noah’s Mill from 2018 had similar features but younger and not as layered or complex. Honesty very close in finish to another age stated bourbon I will not name. Exceptional. This drinks like it’s 107 proof as well, not 83. While there is no bite there is a nice heat and tingle in the mouth during the long and lingering finish. Almost like I just downed maple-raisin oatmeal from a wooden bowl before it could cool. So, don’t buy this. I think that’s what I’m actually trying to say. Stick with bourbon. Thanks.

Cracking whiskey. Nice sherry influence. Finish lingers for hours. Dried fruits, spices come to the fore. Dried leaves pop up, things like tobacco and mint leaves ring through.