A wonderfully sherried 15 year old dram from Glenfarclas, boasting oodles of dried fruit notes. It’s bottled at 46% ABV simply because this was the strength that George Grant’s grandfather preferred it at. Happily, this also results in the Speysider boasting a big, juicy, Christmas cake profile. A fabulously complex Scotch while also being easily drinkable.
Intense, powerful sherry. Cream sherry, certainly – Pedro Ximenez? almost… a touch of peppermint? An almost rancio quality to this. Smells older than 15.
Raisins, more sherry, orange peel, walnuts, dates.
Incredibly long, complex, more of the walnuts again.
Water draws out sweetness. This is Christmas cake, not whisky. Simply astonishing.
I found mine not being particularly dark in colour, just slightly darker than the 12 YO. Its not entirely different from his younger brother, I think its very similar but more intense and richer. Tasting it side by side with The Macallan Sienna, I concluded I like this one better. Both amazing drams.
Beautiful, complex, rich and very satisfying dram for the money. Not sure you can do any better in this price bracket.
All good whiskies are alike but great whiskies have there own special flaws that rise them to a higher level. This is how I think of Glenfarclas 15. It is just so good even its flaws. The nose is rich sherry christmas w/o being cumbersome, the mouthfeel is like velvet than opens into fruity, spiciness when water is added and testimony to its quality it can take water. The bourbon influence is there --- and there is so much more. It is just so damn easy to drink.
Batches vary from year to year but I always find this one consistently delicious. Can't help but go back to it year after year. One of my favourite whiskies.
Consistently a remarkable dram. Christmas cake etc...just a very fine dram
