Glenfarclas 21 Year

Score: 19/23 I have tried other Glenfarclas bottles before, including the 17, 25, and Lismore 21 (likely Glenfarclas). The 17 and Lismore are fantastic, but the 25 is astonishing. I am hoping this 21 is close in quality to the 25, making it an even better hidden value. Nose: Spicy, fruity (dried dark fruits with perhaps some orange) sherry with distinct Glenfarclas character coming through, adding complexity and a subtle meaty savoriness, though not so much that the alcohol tastes harsh. When compared side-by-side, the 25 has a significantly richer nose with more dried fruit and chocolate (and somewhat less funk), but this is certainly not weak. There is some maltiness that sometimes borders on nuttiness and also a bit of tartness. The oloroso aroma is so perfectly integrated that while I can identify an oloroso influence, quite clearly, I cannot detect any lemon or other scent that would definitively reveal the nose directly. It gives the impression of being quite well-aged, though not extremely old. Considering its complexity and lighter character compared to Glenfarclas 25, I would estimate it's considerably younger. When compared to something like Dalwhinnie 15, this seems much older. So the nose seems appropriate for its age. Palate: Spice, fruit, and malt. The spice provides a stronger burn than I would anticipate for this proof. Some tannins are present as well, contributing to its fullness. The fruit is occasionally a bit tart, and the flavor profile is somewhat balanced between tart and sweet. The fruit primarily leans towards raisin and sultana notes and blends nicely into a hint of chocolate. Some lemon emerges fairly consistently, along with a touch of mineral. It becomes a little waxy, but not to the extent of Clynelish. There is that rich, characteristic savoriness throughout, complemented by a toasted, nutty quality. The savoriness includes a touch of charred, tar flavor mixed with some dark (80%?) chocolate. Spice is the primary descriptor I would use here, however. And perhaps a bit too tart. I consistently detect a strong cinnamon, pepper, and lemon character that is a little more intense than I prefer. Given all the spice, the 43% ABV is certainly adequate. Finish: Spice with a somewhat waxy lemon bite are the first sensations on the finish. Some of the maltiness remains, along with a little grass and a fainter layer of that typical character. What lingers long into the finish, however, is a nuttiness that reminds me somewhat of buckwheat. - Conclusion - The nose was truly impressive. It seems seriously competitive with Glenfarclas 25. The palate remains excellent, but unfortunately, it's not on the same level. There is a lot happening here, but it seems to me like there might be a bit too much oloroso and not quite enough age. In terms of complexity, though, this is Glenfarclas, and it excels in that aspect. Lismore 21 is smoother and fuller with more of a grassy malt flavor. The flavors here stand out more, and there's definitely more of that sherried fruit sweetness, but there's also a tarter edge. I would consider these two to be contenders, but my initial impression is that the Lismore is slightly better because it is more balanced and smooth. Glenfarclas 25 is exceptionally smooth and decadent in comparison. It is so rich and full with sweet fruit and chocolate supported by that Glenfarclas character. It is clearly substantially better than this, although it still has some tannins and bite. I am surprised by how much of a difference those additional four years make. The price difference between this and Glenfarclas 25 is not so significant that I would opt for the clearly inferior product. Nor is the quality gap between this and Lismore 21 – even if I decided this was the superior spirit – so large that I would pay more for this over the Lismore. So I would happily drink this if offered (and I would be delighted to smell the glass), but I will not purchase any myself. Based on the nose, I was certain this would score no lower than an 18. Well, I am not considering scoring it lower than an 18, but I thought that after tasting the palate, I wouldn't be considering an 18 at all. The palate is simply not as rich and full as the nose suggested, and there is more bite. This is far from a bad expression, but the palate just doesn't meet the promise of the nose. Most likely, I will settle on an 18 or 19, but I can imagine a 20 if I decide I underrated the Lismore 21 or that this was slightly better. If I revisit and find the bite too much, I might even lower this to a 17. I did give the Glenfarclas 17 a 20, so I thought this was likely to be at least that good, but I believe I must have overestimated that one. Either that or this is a peculiar middle expression. I eventually had a sip of this that I thought surpassed a side-by-side sip of the Lismore 21. Considering that, I believe I will rate the two as about even and give this a 19.

I've become a big fan of this brand, with both the 10 and 12 year old expressions being impressive. The price point jumps significantly, but for a 21-year-old Scotch, this is excellent value, assuming it's good. Okay, it IS good... really good. It doesn't quite reach the heights of other aged, sherry-forward heavyweights like Glendronich and Macallan. However, I've become so fond of the brand's profile that I'm eager to give this a fair chance. Poured neat, the aroma is reserved; time and a little water help it open up. This shares many notes with the 12, featuring candy fruits, oaky malt sugars, and a wisp of smoke. It also has hints of banana peel and old baseball card gum. The palate has a soft, supple delivery, with balanced barrel tannins, sweet malt, and pie crust sprinkled with singed brown sugar. Dried dark fruits and a touch of spice round it out. The finish is long and drying, with malt, heavy oak, and quickly fading fruits, plus a bit of aged leather. This isn't a powerhouse with deep, dense flavors; rather, it's a well-integrated, refined, and satisfying Scotch. I probably wouldn't buy it again at $139, as the leap from the rest of the line doesn't seem major. Compared side-by-side, I'm sure it's superior to the 10 and 12, but tasting them a month apart makes this one harder to justify. I have no regrets about buying it, though, as it's absolutely delicious. It's just that when I spend more on whiskey, I want a truly distinct experience; the Glendronich 18 delivers that in abundance. Overall, a wonderful Scotch that just doesn't blow me away for the price point... 91/100... I might change my mind as I finish this bottle and raise the score; time will tell. If you simply want a 21-year-old on your shelf, you can't go wrong with this brand.

The aroma shows the characteristic toasted, lightly scorched malt of Glenfarclas, though much less intense than younger versions or the cask strength bottling. It also presents abundant crisp, sweet green apples and fresh honey. Perhaps some raspberry and a gentle oakiness are present too. I'm reluctant to add water due to the low 43% ABV, and since the bottle doesn't indicate chill-filtration or natural coloring, I must assume it's processed. I generally don't add water, so I won't here. The palate confirms this observation. The initial taste is excellent: full-bodied, rich, and malty, but the development is lacking. It becomes somewhat too thin, frankly. The finish is underwhelming, offering light oak tannins and mild maltiness. I may be overly critical, but I feel Glenfarclas should present this as an integrity bottling, as a certain expert would suggest. Today's market and the palates of us whisky drinkers are fatigued by these subpar bottles being released. We spend a considerable amount on bottles nowadays, and they should at least offer good value for the price! Honestly, I'd prefer the 105 expression over this any day. This bottling is a disappointing representation of a 21-year-old single malt.

This is my first time trying a whisky from the Glenfarclas distillery. A tasting event is always an excellent chance to find new favorites. I compared it to a whisky with a similar character, specifically the Glenfiddich 18. Nose - The Glenfarclas 21 has a less full body than the Glenfiddich 18, which could make one think this whisky is younger. Grassy and sherry notes are dominant on the nose, with added scents of (over)ripe fruit, oranges, and citrus. Palate - Flavorful and warming. The initial taste is sour, gradually becoming more bitter and sweet. For a 21-year-old whisky, I don't find the palate particularly intricate. Finish - The finish is dry, medium in length, and leaves a lingering malt taste. The finish compensates for a lack of taste with primarily sweet and earthy notes. Frankly, I was somewhat let down by this whisky. Based on prior reviews, I had anticipated a superior and more consistent experience for its age statement. It's flavorful, but not a resounding success. "Tasty": 3 stars | A cut above.

The aroma is intense from the glass, initially bright, but it opens up with rich malted barley and cider after some air. Bananas foster gradually emerges from the background. The initial sip is sweet with diluted honey, quickly developing into deep malt, layered with white pepper and a pleasant oily texture. A second wave of tobacco and more spice appears before swallowing, engaging all taste buds. The finish lingers for a considerable time. While not as intricate as the palate, it offers sherry and barrel notes, as expected for a 21-year-old expression. Some prefer the 15-year-old and, considering the cost, their reasoning is understandable. However, this 21-year-old is undoubtedly the richer, more complex, and superior choice! The price is reasonable for a 21-year-old, and enjoying such an aged spirit makes one feel refined.

My birthday gifted me this bottle of Glenfarclas 21. What better way to welcome 2021 than with a 21-year-old spirit in hand. Upon opening the fresh bottle, the aroma offers clover honey and green apple. As it sits, rich caramel drizzles over bananas, prompting several dessert-like sniffs. My initial taste of Glenfarclas 21 presents a bold sensation of white pepper, crisp tart apple, and noticeable salinity, with subtle oak and tobacco lingering in the background. Over time, more flavors from the ex-oloroso sherry cask and European oak spice emerge. The finish is a long sequence of seaside waves; brine, a puff from an old wooden pipe, sweet grass, and vanilla. With a precise spicy dance on the tongue, this has a light, barely oily texture and a gently dry finish. This dram is smooth and enjoyable, evolving beautifully over time. 9/10