Review by: Raygun

Glenfarclas is rarely found as a named IB. I believe Cadenhead’s is the only bottler allowed to use the name, and they get to use it for something like a couple of casks per year. Blairfindy is a common name for indie Glenfarclas. Probably Speyside’s Finest is another one: anything with that name is reliably Glenfarclas to my understanding. Both Laing companies have a number of releases under that name. Reviewed from a bar pour. Rested about 15 minutes.

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Distillery: Glenfarclas   

Bottler: Douglas Laing   

Region/style: Speyside single malt Scotch

ABV: 50.3%. Cask strength.   

Age: 41 years old. Distilled in November 1967 and bottled in July 2009.   

Cask type: Sherry butt #DL 5325, 283 bottles.   

Color: Too dark to tell. Natural color and non-chill-filtered.

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Nose: Wow. So much here. Floral, with violets and roses. Raspberries, chocolate ganache, leather, and wood paneling. Conjures up a wingback chair in a private club. I could smell this forever.                        

Palate: Unfortunately, not quite as good as the nose. Still has chocolate and violets, joined by more spices now. Cinnamon and some pepper, and a little pasilla chile. Raspberry liqueur. Still has the leather. A little thinner that I’d want, and the spice gets a bit harsh. Does better with time in the glass, the harshness moderating.  

Finish: Chocolate, raspberries, and some major oak. Ceylon tea, cinnamon, and some clove. Has the intensity of a flourless chocolate cake.      

Conclusion: Thought it might be a 10 from the nose, but it turned out the palate isn’t quite there. It improved with time in the glass. Started out as high 80s, but by the time I was done I revised it up. The nose is truly special; one of the best sherried whiskies I’ve ever smelled. Still fantastic stuff when given time, but a little short of where I thought it might end up based on the nose. Even so, great to taste a bit of history. 60s malts aren’t exactly readily obtainable for me. Not as spectacular as the Longmorn from a couple of weeks ago, but still special. 

Score: 91

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Scoring Legend:

• 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky. (Convalmore 36)
• 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category. (Bruichladdich Black Art 4.1)
• 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram. (Ledaig 13 Amontillado)
• 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff. (Tomatin 18)
• 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting. (Glen Scotia 15)
• 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better. (Aultmore 12)
• 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink. (Glenmorangie 10)
• 50-59: Save it for mixing. (Old Pulteney 12)
• 0-49: Blech. (Muirhead’s Silver Seal 16)