Glenfarclas 18 Year

Where to begin? I have many thoughts. I generally enjoy the younger versions from this distillery, particularly given the price. I also sampled the 17 and 21 year old versions and liked both. So, when I had the chance to get a 1L bottle of this for $70, it seemed like a smart purchase. I genuinely wanted to enjoy this. So much so that after one mildly disappointing taste after another, I held off on reviewing it, hoping it was the specific pour, my current mood, or perhaps something about my taste buds that was off, and that the next time I would experience what I'd come to expect from this distillery. Well, I just finished my last dram, and after a liter, I'm still at the point of feeling indifferent. It's time to move on, I suppose. But not before sharing my thoughts. The aroma is subtle. The honey is present. Light floral notes. Sweet and light fruits. A little sulfur, but overall not unpleasant. It's quite thin. I wasn't expecting a rich mouthfeel, but for an 18-year-old, you would think it would have a bit more body. The sherry influence is also subdued. Considering its age, this was surprising... I wonder how many times the cask has been refilled. It has a bit of warmth, and the spice appears, but not in a particularly welcome manner. I enjoy spice occasionally, but this felt like an unexpected interruption, not even an aggressive one. Like a minor prank? It appears briefly then vanishes. The finish is neither long nor short. While that shouldn't detract from the score, unfortunately, the lingering sulfur leaves a bitter aftertaste. Overall, I am likely being too critical. Of the approximately 10-12 servings from this liter, perhaps this was the least satisfying. But then again, I might have felt that way several times before. I would not purchase this again. I would prefer the 10 or 12 year old, even though this doesn't cost significantly more than those.

Nose: Apple, honey, ginger, orange zest, syrupy riesling. Taste: Dark honey, barrel-aged apple cider, ginger spice, white pepper heat, a hint of orange zest with light pith bitterness, lightly fruity peach/strawberry, bitter nut skins. Finish: Lingering nutty sweetness, hint of medicinal/metallic bitterness, light metallic apple/grape juice. Score: 79/100 Final Thoughts: It seems I'm not particularly impressed by the younger expressions from this distillery. This one is very similar to another bottling and both are somewhat uninspired in their overall aroma and taste. It has a pleasant dark honey sweetness at first, but it somehow transforms into a strange metallic taste that persists to the finish. Would I drink it if offered? - Yes Would I specifically order it? - No Would I buy a bottle? - No

Nose: sweet, fruity red berries, honey, citrus, woody, red berries and a little vanilla (perhaps). It has the typical sherry notes but not very intense, probably due to second-fill casks used in maturation. No alcohol presence. Palate: spicy and a little bitter, sweetness, woody, citrus, and a little red berries. Your mouth dries for a few moments but the whisky flavor comes through with saliva as the seconds pass. Medium oiliness. Finish: medium to short, with a good presence of bitterness. General Impressions: not complex but well-balanced. Sometimes this whisky seems younger, but it's still very tasty and well-rounded. Great value for money.

Full gold in the glass. The nose is caressed by alcoholic cherry with the classic Mon Cheri effect, with a vinous background reminiscent of certain delicate grappas. Wood alongside vanilla and a drop of honey. Sweet but not overpowering. Sherry becomes much more evident in the mouth, a warm and enveloping aroma that flows on the palate as if it were stronger than its 43% ABV. Red fruit, herbaceous hints, and spices are grafted onto the wood, which at times is a little intrusive, as well as alcohol which in the long run sweeps too far, detracting from the initial effect. The finish is medium, with wood and raisins and a certain astringency,

Extremely fragrant and rich on the nose immediately after pouring. Notes of fresh orchard fruit, blackberry, tart kiwi, marzipan, and apple peel. Then hints of ginger, tart and bitter grapefruit, freshly ground black pepper, a touch of pumpkin spice, and sawdust. Concludes with old sherry cask aromas. The flavor is surprisingly sharp with a fiery pepper burn. Beneath that are fruity notes, some dark honey, hints of vanilla, and a distinct woody floral taste with a mild bitterness. It grows much sweeter (like creamy fudge) after a few sips, but the burn persists and is quite surprising given its 43 ABV.

November 2019. The appearance is a clear, medium gold hue. I used a small tulip glass for tasting. The aroma presents notes of woody incense, forest floor, humus, and natural cedar. It has a medium body. On the palate, there are flavors of logs, dried wood, freshly made incense, and a touch of vanilla and sweet spice. It offers a classic aged profile from ex-bourbon casks, with a clean and smooth finish. It's like a textbook example of a well ex-bourbon cask aged single malt scotch, right at its peak maturation.