Glenfarclas 25yo – 43% abv

Info: It’s Glenfarclas, and it’s 25 years old!
Colour: Early sunset orange.
Nose: Big, rich and classic, just what you’d expect and hope for from this malt. Gentle malt, big sherry, the gentle sort of sherry, not the dark PX types. The orange colour follows to the nose, there’s a citrusy orange peel.
Palate: Instant candied citrus sweetness meets you with a very approachable and smooth palate. Sometimes sherry matured whiskies of this age can get a little too spicy for me, but this is a lovely balanced palate with just a pinch of spices to give it some gravitas. It’s creamy, with oaks after a while.
Finish: The finish has a kind of freshness to it, along with balance oaks, and the citrus sweetness which starts to turn into more of a autumn fruits affair here. It’s nice and long, and not overly tannin dominated like some old malts can be.
Thoughts: I’ve had an unopened bottle for a little while, so via this sample I’m pleased to be able to finally try it! Many 25yo’s are well over £200 these days, so you’d have to say this is good value. The whisky itself is a nicely balanced, easy drinking, old Speysider. Get your feet up and enjoy at the end of an evening by the fire… it won’t blow your socks off, but I like my socks and don’t wish them to be blown off.
Available: Master of Malt – £108

Thanks to Master of Malt for the sample via my groovy Advent Calendar.