Tasting the Glenfarclas 12 year old single malt Scotch whisky this week brought back some fond memories. I purchased this bottle of Glenfarclas 12 year old on my most recent visit to Dullstroom. It was one of the whiskies I tasted in the bar during the weekend away, and I just had to stock up.
Tag: Glenfarclas Distillery
Glenfarclas distillery is a Speyside whisky distillery in Ballindalloch, Scotland. Glenfarclas translates as meaning valley of the green grass. The distillery is owned and run by the Grant family. Whisky of the Week review and tasting notes for whisky from Glenfarclass Distillery.
This past couple of weekend I have been testing a lot of whisky and cheese pairings again. After the craziness that was June and July, weekends have slowed down and lefts some space for experimenting.
My first introduction to Glenfarclas was in 2013 in Dullstroom at Wild about Whisky. Since then, my collection has extended slightly and includes various 12 year old releases and a 21 year old and a 25 year old whisky. But today, I am very excited to try the Glenfarclas 17 year old single malt whisky.
From the research that I have done, this release is the favourite Glenfarclas of many whisky bloggers. The Glenfarclas Distillery is located in the heart of Speyside.
The distillery sits in the moors of Banffshire, just a mile from the River Spey. The Grant Family purchased the distillery in 1865, and it has remained under the control of the Grant Family for six generations.
Glenfarclas is one of only a few distilleries remaining in Scotland, which is independently family owned and managed. Glenfarclas, translated from the Gaelic as “Glen of the green grassland”, nestles at the foot of the Ben Rinnes mountain. The distillery is renowned for being a full-bodied whisky with lots of sherry cask influence.
I have written about the new Glenfarclas 12 year old release. The Glenfarclas 17 year old release is an unseated whisky aged in ex-Sherry casks. It was bottled in limited quantities, mainly for the North American, Japanese and travel retail markets.
Related Article: Kininvie 17 yo whisky
Glenfarclas 17 year old Whisky Review
REGION: Speyside
ABV: 43 %
COLOUR: A golden copper colour. It is a very oily whisky with languid fingers in the glass.
NOSE: Sweet sherry, rich brandy-soaked fruit cake and Christmas pudding. There are notes of butterscotch, vanilla and glazed cherries. Hints of oak and cereals drift past. Water seems to dampen the nose a bit but releases a few floral notes.
PALATE: Without water, the Glenfarclas 17 year old has a creamy smooth palate with mild spice and notes of oak and cereals. Adding water makes the spice and oak more pronounced and allow more floral notes to come through. Rich and smooth.
FINISH: This is where the Glenfarclas 17 year old falls down a bit. The finish is medium length and end in notes of tobacco and bitter orange intertwined with some sweet sherry notes.
RATING: EXCELLENT
I expected this oily whisky to have a longer finish. My biggest issue with this great whisky is that the finish is too short. I wanted it to go on a lot longer. Nevertheless, I had a second glass. I can’t wait to taste more from this family distillery.
Also Read: Glengoyne 17 yo whisky
A couple of days ago, a friend asked for some advice. She needed to buy whisky as a gift but did not know where to start. Walking into a bottle store can be a daunting experience. The sheer volume of products available makes choosing tough.
And knowing what whisky is worth buying on a small budget can be doubly difficult. And she needed to impress with something exceptional. I did some thinking and came up with my Top 5 Single Malts under R500.
I have also done a Top 5 Blends under R500 list. These whiskies are available in South Africa and will not break the bank. Additionally, they are all whiskies that I have tasted and rated over the last couple of years.
There is a glaring omission on the list. But as this amazing single malt whisky is as rare as hen’s teeth, I did not add it. However, The Three Ships 10 yo single malt needs an honorary mention. It retails (ed) below R500, and if you can still get your hands on one of the last few in the trade, grab it. It is worth it. But alas, not too many of them are left in the shops.
Here are the Top 5 Single Malts under R500 in South Africa that you can buy with confidence. As a gift for the boss or for your father in law. A special bottle for your boyfriend or your best friend.<
Or best of it all – as a gift to yourself. Don’t stress too much about Christmas presents; this list has you covered. And it will not break the bank.
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The Top 5 Single Malts under R500
anCnoc 12 yo Whisky
This AnCnoc 12 yo single malt Scotch whisky is a typical non-sherried Speyside style, showing polished malt and a delicious spiciness throughout. It has a warm, complex palate and lasting finish.
I tried this whisky for the first time in Dullstroom during our visit to Wild About Whisky. It was so lovely, I immediately grabbed a bottle. It is affordable and easy drinking.
Ardbeg 10 yo Whisky
An Islay classic that is the favourite of many lovers of peaty, smoky whisky. The Ardbeg 10 year old single malt Scotch does not flaunt the peat; instead, it allows the malt’s natural sweetness to produce a whisky of perfect balance.
Even if you are not a ‘peathead’, this whisky is just perfect. I rated it Excellent. A perfect gift for someone who wants to try something new. This peaty whisky also pairs well with lamb.
Balblair 2000 Vintage Whisky
At a respectable 10 years of age, the Balblair 2000 Vintage single malt Scotch whisky is one of the youngest of the current offerings from the oldest working distillery in the Highlands region of Scotland.
I bought this bottle from Whisky Brother and sampled this single malt early in 2013. With tasting notes that include vanilla pod, toffee apple, lemon cream biscuits, it certainly was delicious.
Glenfarclas 12 yo Whisky
Another whisky I discovered on one of my visits to Wild About Whisky in the beautiful town of Dullstroom. Glenfarclas produces expressions in the traditional Speyside style, with a heavy Sherry influence.
I rated this Glenfarclas 12 year old single malt whisky as Excellent. It pairs very nicely with Christmas Cake as well. A unique whisky for someone with a sweet palate.
Glenfiddich Rich Oak Whisky
This Speyside whisky was aged for 14 years before being finished in new American and Spanish oak casks. The official tasting notes for the Genfiddich Rich Oak single malt Scotch whisky include vanilla, coconut, pine, cherry, sweet spice, tobacco and leather.
I bought this for John from WhiskyBrother in 2013. It is from one of the best-known distilleries in the world and will make a wonderful gift for anyone who likes whisky.
These whiskies are available through the Whisky Brother Shop in Hydepark, Wild About Whisky and most major retailers.
Also Read: Teeling Small Batch Whiskey