Master of Malt 50 yr Speyside

I thought I would just write a little blurb about this whisky, as I was sent a pour of this from my old friend @pbmichiganwolverine about 3 years ago. I was holding onto this sample for the precise time, aka my 50th birthday. Well, my friends, yesterday was that day. I’m officially an old man now. Woohoo! Anyway, this was from an unnamed source and bottled under London’s Master of Malts whisky shoppe and Mr B purchased this on one of his many business trips and graciously sent me a pour once he decided to open this crazy bottle. It’s a single malt that’s rumored/practically verified to be from Glenfarclas. One taste, and you can almost confirm that. It was a deep, rich burgundy in the glass and wasn’t watery despite the fact it was only 40% ABV. I’m assuming little to no water was added to stretch the supply because 50 years in the cask surely leads to a lot of angel’s share. The nose was overpowering with wood, as you would expect, but after adding a drop of water opened up the Sherry notes and added cherry juice and lightly toasted walnuts. The palate was surprisingly hot for 40% and again the wood just flat out dominates the flavor profile. After a good 35 minute rest and those precious drops of water, I still got wood barrel and just a hint of hot sweetness. The water really aided the finish, turning it from a tongue scorcher with a side of wood splinters, to a bit more luscious feel. Overall, this is definitely too much time in wood for a simpler, one-trick pony like Glenfarclas. Their malts usually shine at higher ABVs for me so this one doesn’t perform on the stage like you’d hope, nor is it close to having good value for money, but you clearly have to take this for the main reason it was bottled- 50 years old. It’s a bucket list, age statement dram. I gave it a high score mostly for that fact- it’s all about the experience and thankfully I have a nice friend like Mr PBW who was willing to share it with me. Thanks again, sir. Cheers all!

Retasted Jul-13: needs to open up a bit and get some oxidation going..then the elegance does come out

I finally opened up my bottle of this that I got over 6 years ago during a business trip to the UK. It’s really not often that one has the chance to taste something this old. We treat it with reverence as we should, I guess...considering the rarity. Back then I paid just under $450. Seems like a bargain for a single malt from Speyside. I guess inflation is hyper-drive when it comes to current whiskey prices. Now, I see this more as $1000 easy. So—I’m going to venture a guess that this is Glenfarclas. Darker sherried color ( it’s NCF and no-color added ), with taste of berries and dark fruits. Palette is short of the nose, but the finish is warm and lingering. Seems light for a 50 yr old...I would never have guessed it’s age...acts younger. It”s good...it really is...but I guess it falls short of my expectations. I was expecting more of an austere elegance, but comes across as a silky youngster.