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.

Whisky and Wensleydale Cheese Pairing

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 09/20/2017

In Whisky & Cheese

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.

I was sitting back, grabbing a few whiskies, opening up some interesting cheese and in general just relaxing a bit. I tried a goats cheese and bourbon pairings, but that elicited a slightly negative response from John.

He hates goats cheese and no bourbon and goats cheese pairing worked for him. Me, well I love goats cheese and appreciated all the pairings. I served it with some crusty baguettes and thought it was fabulous. The next weekend we moved on to a Wensleydale cheese with cranberries.

Also Read: Nectarine Bourbon Smash

Previously I paired a Wensleydale cheese with mango and ginger with some Glenkinchie 12 year old whisky, and it was a great pairing.

French Cistercian monks from the Roquefort region, who had settled in Wensleydale, first made Wensleydale cheese. When the monastery dissolved, the local farmers continued making the cheese-making tradition.

Wensleydale cheese is traditionally firm and creamy with sweet notes. It is a great cheese to pair with fruit. This Wensleydale with cranberries is from Somerset and a crumbly semi-hard cheese. The cranberries add a zesty note to the flavour. So let’s try a few bold and exciting whisky and Wensleydale cheese pairings.

Whisky and Wensleydale cheese pairing

Glenfarclas 12 year old Whisky

The first pairing was the sherried Glenfarclas 12 year old whisky. Tasting notes for the Speyside classic single malt Scotch include notes of fruitcake, raisins, oak and spice and honey. The sweetness of the Glenfarclas complimented the sweetness of the cheese and made for a creamy combination. The tart cranberry notes got a bit lost in all the sweetness. RATING: 3/5

Johnnie Walker Swing Blended Whisky

A Johnnie Walker blended Scotch with hints of peat dried fruits, tobacco and leather. There are bits of sherry sweetness with some ginger in the Swing. The peaty smoke worked well with the creamy, rich cheese and created a comforting and delicious pairing. RATING: 3.5/5

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Glenmorangie Sonnalta Whisky

After spending ten years maturing in American white oak casks, the Sonnalta PX is transferred into PX casks for its final two years of extra-maturation. This makes it a sweet dram with hints of dried fruits, honey and spices.

The pairing of the Glenmorangie Sonnalta PX with the Wensleydale is fantastic. The cream of the cheese and the body of the whisky are perfectly paired to make for a delicious combination. RATING: 4/5

Macallan 15 year old Fine Oak Whisky

The Macallan Fine Oak 15 year old whisky boasts notes of oak and orange blossom sweetness barley, vanilla sweetness mixed with some pepper spice and nutmeg. It is big and bold, and I was scared that it would overwhelm this cheese, but the pairing was excellent. Creamy and elegant with bright tart notes from the cranberry. RATING: 4/5

What is your favourite whisky to pair with a creamy Wensleydale?

Also Read: English Whisky Co Chapter 6 Whisky

Glenfarclas 17 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 02/02/2015

In Single Malt whisky

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 both the new Glenfarclas 12 year old release and the older Glenfarclas 12 yo 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

Top 5 Single Malts under R500

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 11/05/2014

In Lifestyle

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

Glenfarclas 12 year old Whisky (older expression)

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 07/07/2014

In Single Malt whisky

Some time ago, I captured my tasting notes on a new release Glenfarclas 12 year old whisky. It was one of the exceptional whiskies that I got to taste on our trip to Wild About Whisky in Dullstroom. I rated this Glenfarclas whisky as ‘Excellent‘ and was happy to add this distillery to my whisky collection.

I heard about a collector selling a few bottles of older Glenfarclas releases. Soon afterwards, a box with five bottles of Glenfarclas arrived. The Glenfarclas 12 years old single malt Scotch whisky is the first that I try from this collection.

Situated in Banffshire, just a short distance from the River Spey, it is a Speyside distillery. Glenfarclas is from the Gaelic, meaning “Glen of the green grassland”. The Glenfarclas distillery obtains its water from pure springs on the rough Ben Rinnes mountain range.

Established in 1865, the distillery is still family-owned. Glenfarclas produces several expressions in the traditional Speyside style, with a heavy Sherry influence. It is one of the few Scottish distilleries never to use exotic woods for maturation.

It is difficult to date this bottle of Glenfarclas whisky. There was another 12 year old in a more traditional blue tin in the box, similar to my newer release 12yo. Looking at the printing and the beige colours, I guess that this older Glenfarclas whisky was released late 1980’s somewhere.

Related Article: Macallan 12 yo whisky

Glenfarclas 12 year old Whisky Review

REGION: Speyside

ABV: 43%.

COLOUR: The colour can be defined as golden copper. It appears quite dark in the bottle but lighter in the glass. It is not a very oily whisky.

NOSE: Brings plum fruits, raisins and sherry. There are hints of sultanas and sweet grapes mixed with some oak.

PALATE: A well-balanced mix of sweet and spicy notes. Notes of oak, sherry and fresh fruits and traces of caramel and toffee follow. This Glenfarclas older bottling is a full-bodied whisky but not very complex. It is wonderfully smooth and warming. It alternates between the sweetness and the spiciness on the palate.

FINISH: Not that long, but it kind of comes back at the end and lingers. The finish ends with spice and oak notes. There are hints of ginger and pepper in the end.

RATING: EXCELLENT

It is an easy-drinking whisky, and we quickly had a second glass. I have three different Glenfarclss 12 releases from this distillery and would love to see how they compare against each other. Also, to compare the consistency in colour and tasting notes of the different bottlings. But that is for another day. Now to sip some more of this delicious dram.

Glenfarclas 12 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 01/05/2014

In Single Malt whisky

Tasting the Glenfarclas 12 year old single malt Scotch whisky this week brought back some fond memories. I purchased this bottle of Glenfarclas 12 yo 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.

The Glenfarclas distillery sits in Banffshire, just a mile from the River Spey, in the heart of Speyside. Established in 1865 the distillery is still family-owned. Glenfarclas produces several expressions in the traditional Speyside style, with a heavy sherry influence.

It is one of the few Scottish distilleries that never use exotic woods for maturation. Both the bottle and tube are presented in the now-classic Glenfarclas packaging. The distillery is situated in the middle of green pastures. A perfect place for whisky.

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The range includes a Glenfarclas 10 yo, 15yo, Glenfarclas 17 yo whisky, up to a 30 yo whisky and even a Glenfarclas 40 yo whisky. There is also the Glenfarclas 105 release as well as the various Family Cask releases.

Glenfarclas has a beautiful visitors center on-site, and it is one of the places on my bucket list to visit. How perfect would it be to taste some of the older Family Casks right there at the distillery?

Glenfarclas 12 year old Whisky Review

REGION: Speyside

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Vibrant amber gold. I think that the sherry renders it more copper in nature.

NOSE: Lots of sherry and honey. There are subtle hints of spice, oak and smoke.

PALATE: Nice, medium-bodied mouthful. The sherry sweetness immediately comes through with further notes of fruitcake, raisins, oak and spice. The 12 year old is not a complex whisky, but the flavours are beautifully balanced.

FINISH: An interesting one. Initially, I thought it dropped off quickly, but it comes back! It has a long tail with spice and honey.

RATING: EXCELLENT

The overall impression of this is a well-rounded whisky. The whisky lacks complexity, but it has an amazing finish. It is easily one of the most sherried whiskies I have tasted. I have also captured my tasting notes for an older 12 year old release from Glenfarclas.

The bottle has very different packaging but you can taste the similarities in the sherry fruitiness. Interestingly, the finish on the older release was much shorter than the finish on this release.

In 2006 this Glenfarclas 12 year old whisky was named the ‘Best Sherried Whisky’ in the Single Malt World Cup, and I can understand why.

My friend Marc, from the Whisky Brothers shop, also loves this whisky but suggests that the Glenfarclas 105 Cask Strength 60% ABV has an even greater sherried nature.

I will certainly be looking out for this expression in future, but for now, I highly recommend the Glenfarclas 12 yo whisky. A great addition to my collection.

Also Read: Glendronach 12 yo whisky

Glenfarclas and Food Pairings

There was still some Woolworths Cherry Genoa Christmas cake leftover. I paired our second glass of the Glenfarclas 12 yo with this cake. The whisky made the Cherry Genoa rich and fruity, while the Glenfarclas sherry notes were accentuated. It makes for a lovely pairing!

I also tried the Glenfarclas with a sweet dessert cheese (White Rock with cranberries) to see if I can get a similar result, but the soft dessert cheese and the sherry whisky did not pair well. If you have tasted this Glenfarclas 12 yo whisky, or the Glenfarclas 105 Cask Strength, I would love to hear your impressions.

Update: I paired this release with some Wensleydale cheese with cranberries. See how this pairing worked. This release has made it onto my Top 5 Single Malt whiskies under R500 for 2014 list.

Also Read: The Macallan 12 yo whisky