Glenfarclas 12 Year

Review #044 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 43% Comments: aged 12 years, European oak oloroso sherry maturation Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Russet color. Swirling reveals a thick line sticking to the side of the glass, legs don’t start forming moderately quickly. Nose: 16/20 Apples, sticky raisins, caramel, and warm banana bread. Palate: 28/40 Simple but nice. Mostly I get oak spices and tannins, but also getting subtle hints of salted dark chocolates, lemon zest, and dinner rolls. Finish: 30/40 Vanilla and butterscotch, for just a moment there’s chocolate covered cherries and maybe a hint of coconut, then ending on an earthy and salty note. Lots of good sweet flavors without being sickeningly sweet. The finish is moderately short and non-complex, but also has no noticeable alcohol burn. With Water: Short flight and was cut short by beginning our descent so wasn’t able to try. I’ll assess and update the next time I’m able to snipe a free upgrade to first class! Total: 74/100 Final thoughts: Thanks United Airlines for a free double pour at 32,000 feet somewhere between Burlington VT and Newark NJ. I guess all that work travel is finally starting to pay off… I’m surprised by how little sherry influence this has given 12 years of olorosso maturation. The oak influence is a lot more noticeable. Guessing this may be a byproduct of being watered down to 43% ABV and perhaps the use of 2nd and 3rd fill barrels. I feel like I’d enjoy this much more at +50% ABV. Price: complimentary with first class upgrade Would recommend: no Would buy: no Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.

Nose: Sweet and sour combo. Baked green apples drizzled with dade syrup. Palate: Less fruit than the nose. Dry woody notes. Sherry cask maturation noticeable, but not dominant. More sweet notes appear, toffee and melted butter. Finish: Medium to long. Tangerin zest but with the pith. Some bitter notes become dominant in the finish. Conclusion: Interesting combination of flavors. The bitter notes may be off-putting to some, but it also adds to the complexity. certainly not bad value for money.

Surprisingly prominent rustic apple on the nose, with touches of caramel sweetness. The palate starts off a bit hot, but opens into baking spice and cerealy grain while hanging on to the aromatic promises. Medium finish lets everything steadily taper off quietly. Interesting and well rounded, but no particularly bold statements here.

Standard Speyside aroma, rich fruit sweetness and wood on the nose. Flavor is fruit forward, peach and grape with some gentle spice underneath and showing up more on the tail. Richer than expected, tastes kind of typical but on the well done end of typical. Nothing exciting, but above average.

Nose: Rich and inviting with notes of dried fruits, sherry sweetness, and a hint of malt. Palate: Smooth and well-rounded, featuring flavors of rich fruitcake, warm honey, and a touch of cinnamon spice. Finish: Long and warming with lingering sherry notes and a gentle hint of oak.

Color: Yellow gold Nose: Banana, raisin, spice, ginger, pear, apple jolly rancher, honey Palate: Spicy, slightly oily, banana bread, slightly astringent, vanilla, sweet, fresh Finish: Short to medium, a little lemon Bottled at 43%. Natural color. No info about chill filtering.