Glenfarclas 2004 Cask Strength Premium Edition

Story time. I've been hunting with my in-laws annually since 2014. Due to our hunting location, we were restricted to shotguns, no rifles (though the law has recently changed). I'm not a skilled shotgunner and have missed every shot I've ever taken, some slightly, some greatly, so I've never successfully hunted a deer. This year, I decided to bring a bottle to share and enjoy in the cabin the night before opening day. I brought out this Glenfarclas bottle that a friend gave me for my birthday a month prior. I opened it and shared it (very moderately, as hunting hungover wouldn't be ideal). The next morning, while heading to my blind, a small doe appeared in my way, and I made the first successful shot of my life. That evening, I shared a celebratory pour from the same bottle. The following morning, after about 2 hours, I got my second deer. It's a magical whisky, I tell you! Once we returned home, I shared more of the whisky, and by the end, the bottle was almost empty. I saved a sample to keep for later and had just enough left for a review. This is that review, lol. This is the Cask Strength Premium Edition Glenfarclas released in the German market (I have no idea where my friend found it). It was distilled in 2004 and bottled in 2017. Bottled at 59.4% ABV, it's non-chill filtered and has a natural honey gold color. It's one of 6000 bottles. The aroma begins with a sweet but subdued sherry note and a hint of alcohol, which is not nearly as strong as the ABV suggests. I detect plums, raisins, dried cherries, blueberries, blackberries, and barley sugar. Plenty of honey, vanilla, and some light oaky notes. Apricots, nectarines, and peaches. Nutty notes of pecans and walnuts with nutmeg and clove. More oak with sawdust and powdered ginger. A slight leathery hint with just a touch of dark chocolate and barrel char. Adding water didn't change much but brought the honey and malt more into focus. An intense heat on the palate upon arrival, with an underlying sweetness to ease the intensity. Sherry notes, but on the lighter side, especially for cask strength. Honey, oak, cereal malt, vanilla, and a bit of grain alcohol sharpness at times. Mixed berries, mostly blackberries. Slightly nutty with almonds and walnuts, nutmeg, and ginger with a trace of anise. Spicy throughout. Water reduces the heat but retains most of the spice and honey. A medium to full-bodied mouthfeel that is prickly, creamy, and mouthwatering. The finish is long with light sherry, berry fruitiness, sugary notes, some wood spice, and black tea. For a "premium edition" whisky, this didn't come across as "premium." Based on its color and flavor profile, I'd say it's mostly or entirely from refill casks, which isn't very premium. It was difficult to truly enjoy neat, but it performed well over ice or with water. Tonight had a bit of poetry. This was the bottle I drank before I took my first deer, and tonight I enjoyed some venison tacos before finishing this bottle. My apologies to anyone opposed to hunting, but it was a significant moment in my life, and I felt like sharing. I also apologize for such a lengthy review. 5 stars for the memories associated with the bottle, and 3.75 for the whisky itself. Thanks again to my friend; it was a great birthday present. Cheers

PREFACE: Just chill out, they suggested. The world needs your insights on whisky, they said. You're the absolute best whisky reviewer this platform has ever featured, they... nobody actually said that. It's a brand new decade, so I might as well drink my way into it. I'm. Back. Bitches. Well, for the five of you who've been tracking the days- it's been nearly four months since my last whisky review. So, let's see if I recall how: Glenfarclas 2004 Premium Cask Strength. It was a special, German edition I discovered on a website in The Netherlands. Europe, you sneaky whisky bastard! How did that happen? This bottle is a potent 59.4% and cost me a reasonable $55 before shipping (and those annoying tariffs). It appears a rich, yellow gold in the tasting glass, though it's considerably lighter than the common 105 CS bottle found globally. It's oily and thick with very small droplets and no legs- just as most cask strength bottles ought to be. The aroma is buttery sherry and overripe raisins, mild black pepper, and sharp oak. Given some time, it's easy to identify notes of apple peel, rich butterscotch, and hints of sweet cherry limeade. A few drops of water only bring out malt and damp wood, while softening the faint wisps of harsh alcohol. The taste is typical Glenfarclas excellence: sherry, raisins, dry breakfast cereal, and peppery oak. This is essentially 13-year-old malt and likely spent its entire existence in second or third-fill sherry casks. Those flavors aren't incredibly intricate, but they do lead the way and deliver precisely what's expected from this distillery. Solid sherry that's relatively smooth, even at cask strength. The finish is extended and consistently warming with some lasting citrus and sherry. The wood notes are less prominent than anticipated, but in this instance, it prevents the whisky from being too dry. In summary, it's certainly not a premium bottling- despite the label suggesting it is. It's comparable to the 105, and frankly, it's not as good a value for those constantly seeking the best deal. I managed to grab a 1L bottle of the 105 for under $40 some time ago, and while I doubt that price is still available, it still surpasses this release in value. I'd still award this a solid 4 stars and I'm pleased to have another bottle set aside for when I decide to compare it directly with the 105 or another CS bottle I might acquire later. Cheers, my friends. It's good to be sipping again.