Glenfarclas 15 Years Old (2018)
Glenfarclas has an impressive core range, starting with and 8 year old, all the way up to a 40 year old. Ask a group of whisky enthusiasts what their favourite affordable Glenfarclas is (I’d say the 25 year old is the cut-off point), and votes are often split between the 15 years old and the 21 years old.
I often go back and forth between the two, and there’s arguments to be made for both. I feel the 21yo is a tad more sherried and rich, but the higher alcohol percentage of the 15yo gives it just a little more oomph. You’ll have to decide for yourself where your preference lies. For now, here are my thoughts on the younger of the two.
Glenfarclas 15 Years Old (46%, OB, 2018)
Nose: Gentle notes of honey-glazed peanuts, with hints of stewed apples, dried apricots and sultanas. There’s some brown sugar too, as well as just a hint of menthol, and a faint sliver of smoke, as well as juniper.
Taste: Rich and sweet, with an earthy edge. Honey, slightly burned caramel, as well as bitter orange peel and a whiff of pepper and cinnamon.
Finish: Lingering flavour of oranges. Somewhat spicy.
Rating: 87
Very well balanced, this shows remarkable restraint. Never veering into sherry bomb territory, but always staying true to its sherry matured heritage.
Thijs is a spirits writer and accredited liquorist for The Netherlands. He runs the blog Words of Whisky and contributes to a number of Dutch and international publications.
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