Glenfarclas 10 Year

GLENFARCLAS SHOWDOWN Glenfarclas 10 Glenfarclas 17 Glenfarclas 25 Continuing to examine whiskies from my personal collection that I haven't yet reviewed: while these are distinct expressions with noticeable differences, they are the sole Glenfarclases I possess, making 'Glenfarclas' the shared characteristic for comparison. I've sampled each multiple times before, and my memory suggests Glenfarclas expressions are generally quite understated, which is somewhat uncommon for a sherried whisky. Let's verify if my recollection holds true. Glenfarclas 10 Appearance is a clear Pantone 153. The aromatic nose was immediate upon pouring, featuring distinct sherry notes: dark plums, carrot cake, rich butterscotch, and warm mulled cider. A very thin, almost waxy mouthfeel is present. The palate offers some honeyed sweetness, char, and surprising spice for its 40% ABV. The finish presents an almost smoky burnt orange, with a duration between short and medium. However, holding my breath and exhaling through the nose reveals a nearly petroleum, tar-like phenolic quality that emerges later: subtle but extremely long-lasting (the mentioned waxy quality is also linked to petroleum processing; obviously no actual petroleum is involved, but the connection might be analogous). I've often discussed the economics of 80-proof spirits: it's the minimum legal strength. A distiller dilutes the barrel-aged spirit with water to reach a specific proof (ABV); thus, an 80-proof whisky allows for the maximum volume of spirit from a given amount of raw whisky, increasing yield and bottle count. That said, this is Farclas's entry-level offering, and considering its age statement and the brand's traditional, classic craftsmanship, I can overlook this aspect somewhat. Would I prefer the more standard 43% ABV / 86 proof? Absolutely. But as it stands, the whisky is intricate, aromatic, and full of flavor. It is unquestionably the finest 80-proof whisky I have ever encountered, and significantly more complex than I recalled. This is a spirit that, similar to Oban, would resonate with all types of drinkers, from novices to experts; it's accessible, enjoyable, and still complex. Readily available and priced around $50. Would I purchase it again? Without hesitation. A solid 4.0 score. I'm confident I would rate the 12-year expression higher due to its 43% ABV. I eagerly anticipate trying it. Chill-filtered; uncolored; 40% ABV. Glenfarclas 17 Curiously, the 17's color is a clear Pantone 153, mirroring the 10 and despite its longer aging; perhaps the sherry cask influence is of a similar duration to the 10-year. The initial impression is akin to the 10, but subtler on the nose: it begins with notes of pomander and stewed cinnamon apples, unexpected strawberry jam, Christmas cake, vanilla, and dates. While butterscotch was prominent in the 10, it's far less noticeable here. The entry is smoother, with some caramelized sugar sweetness and a gentle espresso bitterness, and the higher alcohol content is well-managed. The finish is medium in length, featuring a soft, damp oak character, and a touch of woody tannins; however, it lacks the lingering petroleum note found in the 10. The 17-year-old Farclas can be found for approximately $125. It presents as a different spirit from the 10-year, as expected; but the overall impression leans towards greater subtlety and smoothness rather than outright superiority. Would I purchase it again? Not as readily as the 10-year, but I'd like to think I would, despite the considerably higher cost. The additional age is always a benefit, even if only in principle. A 4.0 score. Chill-filtered; uncolored; 43% ABV. Glenfarclas 25 The clear Pantone 153 color is the same as the 17 and 10, which seems unusual given the older age. This expression is different: the tar note I observed in the 10-year has reappeared, now on the nose, alongside dark honey, apple cider, and warm spice cake—with a pat of melted butter (perhaps the extended wood interaction introduces some diacetyl). Similar to the 10-year, the butterscotch note has returned, but this time it's not a common candy flavor, but rather an imagined artisanal, premium butterscotch—if such a thing were possible. Cocoa. Vanilla. Espresso. Chocolate-covered cherries. There's minimal viscosity on the palate; the smoothness comes not from creaminess, but from the integration of flavors. Sweet, but not overwhelmingly so. Significant sherry notes on the finish, along with some drying, leathery characteristics. The tar-like aroma upon exhalation returns, having been absent in the 17-year, though less pronounced than in the 10-year. There's a unique quality to enjoying a 25-year-old spirit. Time is irreplaceable and cannot be accelerated. I acquired this bottle some years ago, and its time on the shelf is unknown; combined with its distillation date, this means it was produced well before the turn of the millennium. The Farclas 25 drinks like a 25-year-old First-Growth Bordeaux: the age is evident, yet it retains vitality. It embodies the 'iron fist in a silken glove' description often applied to high-quality, aged Cabernet or meritage blends. Glenfarclas offers 40- and 50-year-old expressions; while I may not have the chance to taste them, I suspect my general impression would be similar—a blend of youthful vigor and aged maturity, offering the best of both worlds. Would I purchase it again? I would like to, though I will savor this one for a considerable period. I've shared it with a couple of friends on notable occasions. I don't precisely recall the price, but I believe it was around $150 a few years ago. A quick search indicates it's now priced between $200-$250. That's certainly not cheap, but if you can afford it and appreciate the distinction between complexity and showiness, the answer is a definite yes. A 4.5 score. Uncolored; 43% ABV. Overall summary Glenfarclas is a traditional, family-operated, classic distillery. To my knowledge, they do not produce non-age-statement whiskies. They also eschew the marketing fanfare and elaborate packaging common among other distilleries; they simply craft excellent whisky that stands on its own merits. Its pricing is generally lower than other whiskies with comparable age statements, possibly due to not being part of large corporate groups like Diageo or Pernod Ricard. I haven't thoroughly enjoyed my three Farclas bottlings in some time—a lapse in judgment I will correct shortly. Each of these expressions is exceptional—particularly the 10-year, considering its 40% ABV and its position as the youngest of the three. Given the quality of the 10-year, I would actively seek out the 12-year: while it only has two extra years of aging, it boasts the higher 43% ABV, and I anticipate an even more pleasing flavor profile. And I would love to try the Glenfarclas 105 cask strength, which is seldom seen in my area and which I have yet to buy. I will keep an eye out for it. The Glenfarclas range, or at least these three bottlings, exhibits a different sherry-cask influence in my experience: they seem a bit younger. While whisky aficionados typically associate dark fruit, stewed fruit, and intense baking spices with sherry-casked drams, each of these Glenfarclas expressions displays a more youthful fruitiness. They are not overpowering sherry bombs like Aberlour A'Bunadh (which I adore) or Edradour (which I also love); nor do they possess the polished character of a sherry-finished whisky like Macallan 18, which, despite its cost, sets a high standard. Glenfarclas, to me, feels a bit more rustic, though certainly not unrefined; think 'gentleman farmer' compared to Macallan's sophisticated urbanity. There was a period a few years ago in my whisky journey when I was purchasing every release of Aberlour A'Bunadh, a cask-strength offering. Perhaps that intense experience dulled my palate somewhat to Glenfarclas when tasted during the same timeframe (though not side-by-side). Glenfarclas represents classic balance—akin to pre-Parker overextracted wine, or pre-whatever overhopped IPAs—and serves as a benchmark for what a sherry-finished Highland single malt should be. Note: All spirits were tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

I tried the 12-year and liked it, but I was intrigued by this 10-year since it costs a couple of dollars more than the 12 in my area. What I discovered is that this version tones down some of the sherry influence and offers a great look at the quality of Glenfarclas's new make. Poured neat, the nose presents clarified butter, rich malt, sweet pastry dough, dark sherry fruits with soft barrel oak, and just a faint hint of smoke. Some baking spice appears as it sits. It's very satisfying and engaging. The mouthfeel is better than I recall from the 12, but it's been a while. The palate is wonderfully balanced. Layers of thick malt blend seamlessly with stone fruit and spice. Non-tannic oak and wispy char are present but don't intrude. There's a nice oily coating quality to the flavors, which have good depth. The finish is long with malty oak, more spice, and light fruit fading into what I'd call a pleasant novocaine effect (some might say menthol, but I think it's more of a numbing sensation in a good way). This truly showcases the new make over special finishes or extended aging. It's not complex, but it is delicious. To me, this represents what scotch is compared to bourbon and makes me realize at a fundamental level that I prefer scotch. It's not a game-changer, and of course, it has no peat, but it's a great representation of a barley-derived spirit... 89/100... pure scotch goodness. It has a very good chance of moving up to an A rating for me... for some reason, I really like this. I am definitely going to buy some of the older stock now.

Brief review EDIT: Aroma has notes of ashy tobacco, and certainly some barley. There's a sulfuric, broccoli-like element in the aroma that I don't particularly care for. A small amount of water enhances it slightly, releasing a more floral scent. Flavor includes peat, mint leaf, tobacco ash, vanilla, and apple skins, with a cooling sensation on the finish. It's very earthy without being intensely peaty. I enjoy the taste, and some floral/perfume notes emerge as it opens up. The finish is somewhat disappointing: extremely ashy, though not unpleasant. It's just a bit one-dimensional at the end. Adding a drop of water doesn't quite resolve this. It's not at all unpleasant, but it lacks complexity. It primarily consists of ashy tobacco, which might not appeal to someone new to Scotch.

Aroma: Grassy, barley, malt, honey, vanilla, notes of fruit from an orchard. Taste: Sweet, with sherry influence, dried fruit, spices like nutmeg, toffee, and wood/pine notes. Finish: A medium to long finish. Spicy, with dried fruit and oak. Menthol and mint in the aftertaste. A sherry-forward and fruity spirit. The mouthfeel is thin yet creamy. This is a well-structured, sweet, and fruity dram. It has mild spice and hints of pine and menthol.

This is likely not a good whiskey. For instance, it's quite alcoholic and perhaps a bit thin. But I like it, it's interesting and unusual. This isn't my first bottle and it's always like this... It has a strong fruity aroma but also something I perceive as smoke (it also has a smoky aftertaste), some wax crayons, it's strange but I like it. Unfortunately, it's a bit too alcoholic considering it's barely 40% ABV.

A bouquet of sherry, spices, and vanilla. The initial taste is cinnamon, dried fruit, and sherry, concluding with spices and a whisper of smoke. While this bottle won't wow seasoned drinkers, it's a remarkably overlooked Speyside that serves as a fine alternative to more expensive options while being entirely unique.