"Vibrant straw-gold with tempting sherry-sweet malty tones combine with delicate smokiness, releasing subtle spices. Warming the glass reveals honey, vanilla and pear drops.
The palate is delicately light, with a mouth-watering combination of maltiness, smokiness and sherry sweetness. Hints of dried fruit, vanilla, cinnamon and cloves tempt the taste buds further. The finish is long, smooth and spicy, with a delicious, yet delicate, lingering smokiness."
Glenfarclas is renowned for producing Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky in the traditional Speyside style.
Distilled twice in traditional direct-fired copper pot stills, the largest on Speyside before transfer oak casks for maturation. The spirit, at approximately 68%abv is reduced to 63.5%abv with spring water. The new spirit absorbs flavour compounds from the oak casks more effectively at 63.5%abv, than at other strengths.
Glenfarclas is matured in 100% spanish sherry casks, which have matured Oloroso or Fino sherry in Seville, Spain. With a capacity of 500 litres sherry butts are widely used at Glenfarclas, along with 250 litre sherry hogsheads.
Charring the casks releases carbon, which helps mellow the whisky, the casks also impart
vanilla aromas and malty flavours devlop during this maturation process along with a slight sweetness.
In the traditional style 'dunnage' warehouses, dating from the 1880's, and consisting of thick, stone walls, with earth floors, the casks lie sleeping for a minimum of 8 years. During this time the casks are not disturbed, and the spirit evaporates at 2% volume, which also reduces the alcohol content by an average 0.4%abv per year. This is known as the 'Angel's Share'.
In a 'dunnage' warehouse, the casks are only stacked three high. The temperature is stable, does not fluctuate by more than 6C. There are 30 traditional style warehouses at Glenfarclas. The casks can be filled several times, and if required, will be re-coopered between refills.
