Highlands – 46%ABV – 70cl – Not available through US stores – Master of Malt has it for £36 | €42
One thing that really bugs me is UK only or, better yet, non-USA bottlings of whisky. My anger is not directed toward the UK in anyway, it’s directed at US law. Specifically when it comes to the US *NOT* accepting foreign bottles which are 700ml (or, 70cl). They have to be 750ml. Why? It seriously does not make sense to me. If you can clue me in, please, do! Email me – I have to know what the dumb-arse reason is.
People in the US are missing out on so many good whiskies (or paying too much in shipping from the UK/EU to get them) due to US law regarding 70cl bottles. One of the many drams us yanks are missing out on is the Glenfarclas 15yr.
The Glenfarclas 15yr is one of the better sherry finished drams out there – it benefits from all of the good things about sherry (rich fruits & spice) without being too winey, though, there is wine there for sure. Many folks in the UK/EU refer to this as the ultimate Christmas Cake dram. Jason over at WHISKYhost gives an excellent description of what Christmas Cake is actually like (if you’re a Jew like me, who has never had Xmas cake, you’ll benefit from this post).
Initial whiff – Wine soaked raisins, cinnamon (lots of it, almost like the smell of Big Red Chewing Gum), white pepper, extremely fragrant & masculine (in a very feminine, perfumey kind of way…)
On the mouth – Rich & decadent, oily, coating & spicy, very spicy. Chewy, like chewing on taffy, malty sweet
Finish – Like the energizer bunny, it keeps going! A bit tannic, wine from the nose returns, the sides of my tongue have been tingling for some time now.
In sum – This is the first and ONLY Glenfarclas I’ve had. Here in the US we have the 12yr, 17yr, 21yr and (I think) the 25yr. And there are, of course, many others in the ‘farclas line but of all the Glenfarlas’ out there, this is the one I’ve read about the most so I went for the dram toughest to get in the US and I did not regret it one bit! I prefer to enjoy this on a colder night. Perfect for Christmas or, maybe good for the eighth night of Chanukah 😉 Nice cold weather stuff.