Glenfarclas 105 is a superb cask strength whisky, with a history that can be traced to 1968. When the original incarnation was released that year, Glenfarclas became the first distillery to release a barrel proof single malt whisky.
The bottling was eventually re-named to 105, referring to its alcohol content in British Proof, which equates now to 60% ABV.
The 105 doesn't carry an age statement presently, making it rare among Glenfarclas bottlings. Although, there are suggestions that it is matured for 8-10 years in a combination of both ex-sherry and ex-bourbon barrels.
Drying, assertive and richly spiced, the 105 makes for a superb dram, one the Malt Maniacs rated as the best “Bang for your buck” whisky in 2004. Add a drop of water if you please to explore its depth - and don't be put off by that ABV, there's plenty of flavour here to enjoy.
Great depth, Sherry. Creamy and nutty. Honey on toast, touch of smoky coffee.
Silken, spicy and peppery oak. Almond, praline, hazelnut, dried peels, fruity. Touch of Armagnac, hint of rancio perhaps?
Long, peppery and nutty.
Was: £192.90Now: £191.90
Realy a fruity one this! Nice kick of alcohol, some find it to hard, i like it! On the nose it is a mix of fruit, sherry, a bit grain. Once you take a nip of it, you will find a suprising sweet flavour of sherry and overwelming fruityness. followed by a bit of grain and wood , oak, and then it follows quick in a dry after taste. Also followed with a warm glow of the high alcohol percentage! A keeper for sure!
The taste was great and I like it a lot.
I usually drink whisky neat with no ice, but I couldn't handle this one without a load of water in there, and still it wasn't great. Pickled cabbage notes with a finish of expensive disappointment. To be fair, the expense was largely the bar not the bottle. Still cheesed off though.
I always have wondered about the glenfarclas 105, I always had a bottle of aberlour abunadh laying around and quite enjoyed that. Now compared to the abunadh the 105 is quite similar yet different. They are both sherry bombs and are good in their own way. To put it simply, the 105 is more creamy, sweeter, and more dried fruit (dried date, prunes, apricot) flavor when compared to the abunadh. Where the abunadh has more dark chocolate, oak, less sweet wood flavor than the 105. Both are good, just depends what you like!
If i have to describe it in two words they would be HONEST and FRANK. Though it actually deserves four stars i grant it five with clear conscience just because honesty is what lacks nowadays. In these fake and deceptive times this whisky brings me back the faith that things could be done in "old school" manner. Thank you Glenfarclas, great job, this single malt is to whiskies what AK47 is to weapons - rough, tough and unrefined, but yet uncompromising. P.S. I like it neat - to my opinion even a few drops of water or single ice cube muddle it.
