Glenfarclas 40 Year

The nose is soft, subtle yet mildly rich with creamy orchard fruits leading that are underscored by tangy red fruits and surprisingly soft oak for the 40 years in a cask with an ever so slight pipe tobacco smoke emerging over time that all works effortlessly together with low ethanol. The palate is a medium mouthfeel starting with creamy tropical fruits before a mild peppery spice that slowly fades to espresso and dark chocolate covered figs before mildly sour yet sweet fruits of lychee, balsamic strawberries and pears that transitions to light pipe tobacco smoke and dusty leather bound books with low ethanol burn. The finish is medium length starting with a mix of creamy tropical fruits and mildly sour red berries before mild baking spices, sweet pipe tobacco and polished antique furniture. Glenfarclas 40 year is a beautifully composed old single malt that has aged gracefully over the years polishing the flavors into a symphony of creamy citrus, light chocolate, red berries, mild spices and old oak that was incredibly well managed as those casks could have easily overpowered the other flavors like an over steeped black tea. Side by side with the Glenfarclas 25 year, the 40 year has more finesse and grace whereas the 25 has a slightly higher astringency but they aren’t all that far away from each other. At an asking price of over $1k, it’s an expensive bottle likely meant for celebrating the 40 year age milestone or to experience a 40 year old single malt. Thankfully @ShatteredArm was extremely generous to share a sample for me to explore and highly enjoy.

Picked this up to celebrate my 40th birthday, and finally cracked it open. Didn't know what to expect as I hadn't had a single malt anywhere near this old. In the nose, there are aromas of honey, black tea, and some baked fruits like apple or pear. The palate starts off on the sweet side, with a medium body and the sherry cask evident. Milk chocolate, a bit of custard, and a little nutmeg. Reminds me of mousse. Long finish with some bitter wood notes coming into the picture. This was a nice treat, and there are some flavors in there that I haven't found in younger whiskeys, but I wouldn't say it's necessarily more enjoyable than something in the 20s.

Very nice complex nose, herbal notes, light sherry notes. Exquisite body, very complex, light tannins, dried red fruit, spices (nutmeg and cinnamon), black tea and chocolate on the nice long finish

Caramello, marmellata, biscotto

Glenfarclas 40 year old at 43%ABV. I found it amusing to say $900 is cheap for a bottle of 40 year old single malt scotch considering that 900 bucks ain’t pocket change but you rarely see a 40 year old scotch at this price either. So how much of a bargain is this? Let’s find out. Nose: fragrant but light, dry fruits such as sultanas and raisins, light grassy and surprisingly creamy. The sherry influence is subdued and harmonious after 4 decades in the cask, Not too oaky at all considering the age. Palate: light honey suckle, dried wood spice up front. Dark chocolate, nutmeg, and nuts, then slowly faded with traces of oak bitterness. Finish: long, warm and dry, lingering oak and rich chocolate. This is simply superb and one of the very best I’ve ever had, period. It is stunningly balanced and yet complex with Glenfarclas’ signature mellow, well aged and classic old spirit quality. For the money, this is a no brainer. The big conglomerate would charge you an arm or leg for it but because Glenfarclas is a family own small business, it’s only 900 bucks. If you ever come by this bottle at a decent price, don’t hesitate! It’s that good!

Brilliant showcase of old school Sherry. Nose: Rum Raisins, Figs, Cherries, Dates, Caramel, Toffee, Honey, Red Apples, Milk Chocolate, Licorice, Honey, Strawberries, Grapefruits, Mangoes, Almond Cookies, Peaches, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Oranges, Lavender, Bananas, Creme Brûlée, Cookie Dough Palate: Rum Raisins, Coffee, Toffee, Blood Oranges, Milk Chocolate, Hazlenuts, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Grapefruits, Honey, Cashews, Almonds, Baking Spices, Cloves, Licorice Finish: Toffee, Raisins, Oranges, Pepper, Walnuts, Nutmeg, Red Apples, Cinnamon, Dates, Figs, Raspberries, Plums

Great Smooth taste of Oak Oats and a hint of orange peel with tobacco great with a Cuban Juan Lopez Selection cigar!