Review by: Whiskery Turnip
Distillery: Glenfarclas.
Bottler: Distillery.
Region: Scotland/Speyside Single Malt.
ABV: 57%.
Age: 8 Years.
Cask type: Oak.
Nose: Rich dried figs and dense flourless cake, honey, bittersweet Turkish coffee, construction paper, motor oil, new leather, cherry cough syrup.
Palate: Full-bodied and oily, thick and unctuous, dried fruits, licorice, cinnamon candies, old paper and burning candle wicks, motor oil with hints of sulfur and earth, date cakes and coffee toward the end with mild tobacco and black pepper.
Finish: Long and lingering with dried fruits, pepper, and tobacco.
Mental Image: Albertan Order of Saint Leibowitz.
Conclusion: Wow! I was not expecting a whisky that had been sitting in the bottle for sixty years to be this intense and full-flavored. The mouthfeel was wonderfully thick and textured; it was oily and occasionally a bit waxy, as the flavor moved from sweet, dense fruits to earth and finally a sweet, peppery bite. Notions of old papers, candles, and earth reminded me of archival work, but surely a more modest or ancient archive than the sort I tend to visit. Open flames and old books do not mix, but in this whisky they came together nicely with ample dried fruits, dense cakes, and rich coffee.
Overall, an unctuous treat— I can see why some go crazy for these 1960s Glenfarclas.
Final Score: 88.
Scoring Legend:
- 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
- 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
- 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
- 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
- 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
- 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
- 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
- 50-59: Save it for mixing.
- 0-49: Blech.
Malt Runners 