soonershrink
Glenfarclas 25 Year
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed
August 5, 2022 (edited September 30, 2023)
Noses with creamy green apple, pear, red apple peel (apparently lots of apple), raisin, vanilla, maybe a slight note of smoking fireplace off in the distance, but definitely in the background. The palate continues with some of the same fruity notes, more of the slightly bitter apple peel, dried fruit, and now laced with a little bittersweet chocolate, nuts, and some oakiness on the finish. The empty glass has a nice aroma of nutmeg and cinnamon apples with cream, resting in a walnut bowl - it makes me want another taste to see if I can pick up those flavors.
I like this a lot, but there's not quite love - I suspect that I would need more time with this one to appreciate it more fully. It may also betray the youth of my palate. I do like this enough - and the empty glass intrigues me enough - that I could definitely see purchasing a bottle to see how it strikes me over several sittings.
Thank you so much to @Bourbon_Obsessed_Lexington for the generous sample!
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I've got a bottle of this that I've not tried in a few months. I agree on the "not quite love" part--this to me is somewhat subtle and at 25 years, is certainly deserving of some reflection.
I’m glad you enjoyed this one - I think it could entice most bourbon drinkers and is just so harmonized (to me). I agree nothing really stands out but in some ways I almost appreciate it more for that reason.
I was comparing your notes to mine. Very similar. This is a quality bottling at an extremely affordable price (if you’re looking for an very aged scotch). If you have the extra cash for a nice occasion, this fits the bill. Nice review.
This sounds excellent and many other reviewers seem to agree go for it
@angstrom I've only ever spent over 100 on three whiskies, all of which I have no regrets, and would do again: Balcones Peated Sauternes (105), Springbank 15 (125), and Garrison Cowboy (185ish).
@soonershrink Normally $50 is my sweet spot for VFM. Major milestone calls for picking up a couple splurge whiskies.
@PBMichiganWolverine Sweet! Seeing online or at local stores? Haven’t see in my state, but some long time gone Scotch is starting to appear now - Springbank, Kilkerran, etc.
@angstrom I think the Talisker 18 is back…redesigned bottle, but hopefully the liquid is the same
@angstrom also, like I said - I'd be glad to purchase a bottle of this and may do so soon, especially at the $150 price, I think it's a great deal.
@angstrom I honestly haven't had that much experience with whiskies over the $100 range, so I'm probably not the best to ask. My experience with Arran would certainly make me intrigued by the 18 year, but it's not one I've come across, and haven't looked up reviews for.
This was high on my list based on some strong reviews. Anything else you would put ahead of it at this price point? (Arran 18 yr and Talisker 18 yr were the main competition, but Talisker has totally disappeared the last 6 months)