LeeEvolved
Glenfarclas 12 Year
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed
October 27, 2017 (edited October 21, 2024)
I was able to give this one a go thanks to our distillery group. I’ve previously tried the 10, 21 and 25 year old- none of which really impressed me much. Especially the 10 year because it seemed a lot more harsh than I expected, but then again it is pretty young by scotch standards.
There isn’t a whole lot of complexity to any Glenfarclas I’ve tried and this 12 year doesn’t buck that trend. It was pretty sweet with typical sherry notes with hints of toffee and oak rounding things out.
It does come off as pretty smooth when compared to the 10 and the finish is just warming enough to make it mostly enjoyable. I don’t believe I’d seek out any more bottles from these guys, but I’m glad I was able to try this one because it somewhat redeemed itself IMO.
Thanks to Scott for supplying this one. It’s a solid 3.25-3.5 stars. Cheers.
Create Account
or
Sign in
to comment on this review
@LeeEvolved Actually there was one Aberlour I didn't mind - the un-chillfiltered 48abv 12 year old that came out a couple of years ago. I only tasted it once at a shop tasting but I recall the profile being less cherry and more malty-orange.
I was wondering that myself. I like the Richard Paterson quote better. It evokes such vivid visuals.
@PBMichiganWolverine - it’s just an internet meme based thing. It’s mostly for the new quote associated with my account. The quote is a proper English translation of “haters gonna hate”. Lol
@LeeEvolved what’s with the new Renaissance man avatar? ( or is that Thomas Jefferson? I got a C in history...barely stayed afloat)
@PBMichiganWolverine & @cascode - ahh, I just realized that you guys are talking about the Aberlour 12 Sherry cask. I don’t believe I’ve had that one, I’ve only had the 12 Double cask. The makes much more sense because I don’t really remember a heavy, artificial cherry note like you guys speak of. If we’re recommending strictly sherry cask malts then I’d have to go with Macallan over Glenfarclas- even with the substantial price difference. (Can you tell I don’t like Glenfarclas? 😎)
Absolutely - IMHO that's the message that can't be stressed to strongly. Glenfarclas, in any expression, needs a lot of time to develop in the glass, and it repays one's patience
I have yet to really sample to Aberlour 12. However, for me, between Mac12 and Glenfarclas 12, I found the Glenfarclas more enjoyable. Glenfarclas needs patience though as time rewards this dram.
@PBMichiganWolverine I have the same reaction to Aberlour - too heavy a cherry note, disturbingly like artificial cherry flavouring. It's very strong in the A'bunadh, but present to some degree in all their whisky.
One of the few times @LeeEvolved and I disagree...I can’t stand Aberlour. It’s like NyQuil. Brings back childhood memories of me as a 12 yr old going house to house in Hoboken NJ cleaning people’s front yard of snow ( $5 f0r the full yard...geez, how inflation has crept up), only to fall sick and then given NyQuil by my mom.
@On_The_Moors - I think if I had to pick between this, Mac 12 or Aberlour 12 I’d probably go with the Aberlour. The savings in price make a better malt to reach for than the Macallan IMO. I have yet to be impressed by any Glenfarclas on anything other than price. They all seem boring to me (and I’ll freely admit to being a single malt snob, so take that with a grain of salt). The Aberlour 12 is a solid, sherry-forward malt and comes in around $15-20 cheaper than the Mac (at least here in Virginia). It’s a pity that you can’t find GlenDronach because I think they’d win in a 3-4 way showdown. However, a new dark horse entry for me would have to be the Tamdhu 10. Don’t let the age fool you- that is a fantastic dram. It’s price point isn’t, about the same as the Mac 12, but it is a delicious sherry pre-teen offering.
The Aberlour is, for me anyway, the most "sherried fruit-cake" sort of profile of the 3 you mention, and very well made. The Macallan 12 sherry oak is more malty and dry-sherry. In comparison, Glenfarclas 12 is "reserved" and "standoffish" - it takes way more time to open up in the glass, and is no so instantly friendly and compelling. If you want a sherry-bomb go Aberlour, if you want a fruit-bom cut to the chase and go to Macallan Sienna.
@cascode the Macallan 12 sherry oak, I believe.
Oops, sorry - you specifically wanted sherry matured - change that Balvenie to the Double or Triple wood
Which Macallan 12? Actually I find all the current Macallan 12s to be similar qualty-wise, just with different profiles. Aberlour doesn't do it for me. I'd add Balvenie 12 single cask to your list, along with Tamdhu 10 and Glen Elgin 12. When you're tired of the "trad" style Speysiders, try Benromach ;-)
Debating between this, the Macallan 12 and the Aberlour 12 (sadly no Glendronach available). How does this stack up with these similar price point options? Any other sherry matured you’d recommend?
I have an off-and-on relationship with Glenfarclas. If I’m in the mood for subtle sherry and it’s a good batch then the magic happens, but sometimes not. Been drinking them since the 1970s and it’s always been like that.
Yeah, totally agree with Scott. Wait---Lee, I thought you bleed HP? Are you having an affair behind HP's back with Bowmore? 😊
I find it interesting of each of ours taste, especially the diverse opinions. The beauty is there is no wrong answer. I did quite enjoy and would choose this over a Macallan 12, comparatively.
Yeah have to agree re. Glenfarclas. Tried the range and just hasn't done it for me....I just start dreaming of a Glendronach when I'm drinking one :-). It's a pity as their age statements are great value and they are independent.
Haha, also Tamdhu.
I’m beginning to think that you’re a paid spokesperson for Glenfarclas. Kinda like how I’m one for Bowmore... 🙂🙃🙂🙃🙂
To each his own, but I really like Glenfarclas. Great for when you want a sherried scotch but not an overly sweet one.