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Glenfarclas 15 Year Old

Brilliant after dinner whisky!

0 2890

@jdcookReview by @jdcook

24th Dec 2009

0

Glenfarclas 15 Year Old
  • Nose
    21
  • Taste
    23
  • Finish
    23
  • Balance
    23
  • Overall
    90

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Distribution of ratings for this: brand user

My lovely wife purchased me 4 separate malts for Christmas, and finally relented allowing me to access them as of today (Christmas Eve). This is the first, it came in an impressive open faced box with small taster bottles of the Glenfarclas 21 and 25 year old (so reviews of them to follow, along with the other three drams, over the coming days).

The nose is warm, with pine nuts, glace cherries, heather, just a hint of smoke, and heavy vanilla fruitiness. There is more than a hint of Christmas Cake about this one. With a few drops, the heather strengthens, and a honey, nutty note comes through to complement the rich fruit cake smell.

The taste is warm and rich, full of cherries, raisins, a hint of chocolate. Further sips reveal a hint of grains and a touch of spice. There is a lot going on here, and every sip emphasises something different. Very engaging.

The finish is warm, sweet, still full of dried fruit gently balanced by a mild spiciness, and so thick it is almost buttery or creamy. It's strong and embracing.

This is a genuinely warm sweet after-dessert whisky. On a cold night after warm pudding, it would be divine. Even in the Aussie summer, this dram hits the nail square on the head.

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28 comments

@jeanluc
jeanluc commented

Wonderful stuff this. I had a glass last night myself, the perfect seasonal dram!

14 years ago 0

@jdcook
jdcook commented

Yeah, perfect for Christmas, but I think it would work after at any time of year after a big heavy mean (especially after a big heavy dessert). I'm on my second tonight, and I almost never do two drams in a night, and in the past when I have, I can't remember the last time I drank two from the same bottle (I normally sample two separate drams).

14 years ago 0

@galg
galg commented

some wife u got man. never gotten any malts from mine...

14 years ago 0

@jdcook
jdcook commented

@galg - It's not just the fact that she bought me some fine whiskies - it's the amount of time and effort she put into which whiskies to buy. She wrote down and sorted my wish-list, read all my reviews, looked at comments I've made in various discussions, watched what kind of whiskies I was drinking, and then agonised for a number of days over which drams to buy. Frankly, the thought and effort she put in takes these drams from being a damn fine present to being one of the best Christmas presents ever. I'm chuffed to bits. And I get to enjoy excellent drams like this one!

14 years ago 0

@jdcook
jdcook commented

Just as a side note, after waking up this morning I can see the residue that was left in the glass from last night's dram (I left it out on the coffee table) - definitely not chill filtered this one!

14 years ago 0

@epicfail
epicfail commented

I bought this for a Christmas gift to myself.

I love it, love it, love it.

14 years ago 0

@jdcook
jdcook commented

@epicfail - it is indeed an 'epic' dram!

14 years ago 0

@yossiyitzak
yossiyitzak commented

Just got myself a bottle and...wham-o! So nice, so sweet. Very sherry influenced but not winey in any way. My mouth is in heaven right now.

14 years ago 0

@jdcook
jdcook commented

Yeah - a mate of mine had some a few nights ago, it is definitely a thick, rich and sweet malt - very wintery. It works down here in Oz during the xmas season, but I'm really looking forward to trying some come June/July (the really cold months for us).

14 years ago 0

@PeatAndMeat
PeatAndMeat commented

I picked up a bottle of this ahead of some pals coming over for the weekend.

Just had a cheeky sample (well it is paste 12 noon!) and its quite amazing, it has an almost rum-like quality to it.

Looking forward to exploring this further.

14 years ago 0

@LeFrog
LeFrog commented

Glenfarclas 15 yo is a fantastic whisky, quite wintery for me though.

14 years ago 0

@jdcook
jdcook commented

Yeah, it's a bit thick, warm and luscious for Summer, but it still works over here during Christmas (being Summer time). But yes I've enjoyed a few drams over the current Winter, and it hits the spot really nicely.

14 years ago 0

@Dougful
Dougful commented

I've been curious about this one and heard great things, but this review and subsequent comments put it over the top. This is now at the top of my list to try.

14 years ago 0

@jdcook
jdcook commented

You won't regret it!

14 years ago 0

@Hogshead
Hogshead commented

@duffer.dk I agree - I've tried a few of the older Glenfarclas bottlings but my favourites are the 15 y/o followed by the 12 y/o

14 years ago 0

@jdcook
jdcook commented

@duffer.dk - I do like the 21 and 25 - the sherry smoke is a bit more pronounced in those bottlings, but this one still has a bit of youthful zest which is nice!

14 years ago 0

@jwise
jwise commented

I recently received a sample of this whisky, and look forward to trying it! Based on these reviews, I am glad I selected the 15yr to sample, and didn't skip it for the older expressions.

13 years ago 0

@jdcook
jdcook commented

@jwise - the entire Glenfarclas range at the minute is very well done. The older ones are well worth trying, but I wouldn't miss the younger ones, and they are cheaper!

13 years ago 0

@jwise
jwise commented

Oh my dear Lord in heaven! I tried this whisky today, and flipped for it! Shortly thereafter, I was online and placing an order overseas (you can't get the Glenfarclas 15yr in the States) for two bottles: one 70cl and the other was the Box Set with the 21 and 25 year samples (as mentioned above). The shipping was outrageous, but the whisky is just that good! Look for my review.

13 years ago 0

@jdcook
jdcook commented

@jwise - it certainly is a dangerously thick and rich dram!

13 years ago 0

@joshk
joshk commented

Now I have to travel to Europe just so I can find a bottle.

13 years ago 0

@jwise
jwise commented

My bottles came in today! I am now sitting down with a nice, healthy pour of Glenfarclas 15yr and loving every sip!

13 years ago 0

@jdcook
jdcook commented

@jwise - I had some more a couple of nights ago, very heart-warming!

13 years ago 0

@psmith523
psmith523 commented

My dad bought me a bottle of this as part of my 50th Birthday present 3 years ago. It was great. I also found that it benefited from adding a drop of water, which i normally never do, but as its 46% it can withstand a slight dilution and definielty seemed to open up the flavour even more. Honey, toffee, nectar!

11 years ago 0

@jdcook
jdcook commented

@psmith523 - It's also a sherry cask dram, and I've noticed that sherry cask matured whiskies can take a bit more water than those matured in bourbon casks.

11 years ago 0

@psmith523
psmith523 commented

Didn't know that, thanks for the tip.

11 years ago 0

@jdcook
jdcook commented

Give it a try, but don't take my word as gospel; your taste may differ.

11 years ago 0

@Pudge72
Pudge72 commented

@joshk...or come on up to Ontario at some point...but check the LCBO website for Glenfarclas 15 inventory as it seems to be stocked up in October/November of each year and seems to get cleaned out for the Christmas rush. It may/may not be re-stocked earlier in the year.

lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/…

11 years ago 0