Dreaming-of-Islay
Glenfarclas 12 Year
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed
July 22, 2017 (edited November 8, 2019)
Had this on a United flight, apparently the distillery struck a deal and now the 12 year is on every United flight. Glenfarclas's nose isn't a classic sherry bomb as I might have expected from its reputation. It does have a wine-like character, but also a lot of apple (like cider, as my wife put it), and a bit of varnish. The palate is the best part, again with apple leading the way, some grape, a lot of herbal spiciness, and a roast nut quality that leaves a smoky or mildly sulfurous impression. The finish is disappointingly short and is more of a bitter tingle, like resin, with just a hint of tart fruitiness. I'd take Macallan 12 over Glenfarclas 12 any day, due to the letdown at the finish, but I remain excited to try the famous 17.
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Exactly how I felt. Surprisingly wine-like on the nose, completely different palate, and no finish.
The 25 is great, except for the finish. Really bitter. Otherwise it's a fabulous dram. Glenfarclas is one of only a handful of distilleries that still uses direct fire stills rather than steam heated. The have a copper arm inside the still that rotates to keep the husks of the barley from sticking to the walls. All that extra copper helps to oxidize the new make spirit more than other types of stills. This creates a unique flavor profile. Glendronach recently switched over to direct fire as well.
the 21 is great value for money as well.