Scott_E
Glenfarclas 12 Year
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed
September 17, 2017 (edited April 9, 2020)
Deep sherried whiskies, to me, take some time to understand and appreciate. Similar, in essence, to adapting and appreciating a good, peated whisky. I recall having tasting a Macallan the first time and I was not in tune to the experience: the deeply rooted sherried flavor and the impression was one of a mediocre whisky. But time changes our perceptions as our wisdom and knowledge increases. Where am I going with this? Now having more appreciation for sherried whiskies, I was looking forward to tasting this Glenfarclas; this being my first. I was eager to compare to the baseline Macallan.
Raisins and lightly toasted bread (a similar aroma to Raisin Bran) are initially met. The obvious sherry notes are joined with a nuttiness and spicy nutmeg. Toffee sweetness overtones the fruity orange peel and apple notes. Honey and vanilla are sprinkled in between. A touch or char hidden in the depths is drawn out over time. Be patient!
Arrives gently, soft and sweet. Brown sugar, vanilla, prunes, allspice and cloves compose the palate all balanced. Near the fade to the finish, with some time on the palate, the sweet tea with honey flavors work their way and deliver the finish.
The finish is medium in length and exposes flavors not smelled nor tasted on the palate. Slightly ginger and tannic, yet revealing a brown sugar sweetness and cinnamon spiciness. The final fade brings a nice unique flavor for Welch’s Grape Jelly/Jam or an almost and artificial grape flavor, like grape soda, and ultimately, exiting with toasted coconut.
The thought that kept coming to my mind with this experience is ‘Seamless’ The transition from aroma to arrival to delivery and finish are greeted and finished in one fluid progression with little obvious abruption. Soft and creamy and slightly warming. A definite slow sipper that only improves over time, and in that time, you are rewarded. As a comparative, I found this to be slightly more enjoyable than Macallan 12. A well-crafted and thoroughly enjoyable sherried whisky. Complex yet approachable. A quiet gem! [Dry Glass: Heath candy bar][$56][87/100][Tasted: 9/15/17].
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@Ctrexman Agreed. Better than Mac and lower in cost. Win-win.
I know this is old but superb review Scott. This is solid malt but no way Im taking this over Mac12 sherry....too much of a fanboy
Pranay enjoyed the 21, that I recall. I definitely, now, need to try that one as well.
Likewise. I've had the 21, which was really good. To me, this always was the more affordable Macallan substitute. At the higher age points ( 21 and above), I always find it hard to justify Macallans.
I'm excited to try this one. I've had the 10 and it was good. The 25 was fantastic except for a very bitter finish