Saturday, March 11, 2023

Glenfarclas 8 Year (SMWS 1.262 "A Commune of Delights")


 

Glenfarclas was the very first distillery in the Scotch Malt Whisky Society ("SMWS"), founded by Pip Hills and his friends, hence earning Distillery Code #1. This was the third sample at the March 2023 Outturn tasting for the SMWS, held at the Jack Rose Saloon here in Washington DC. 


Five years in an ex-bourbon cask, then three years matured in a first fill ex-Cosecha wine barrique (!), which is very uncommon. It's basically a wine made with the same grape as Pedro Ximenez sherry. Let's see what my impressions are:

Nose: Fruit cornucopia - lots of different fruit (but especially apricot/stone fruit) combine with a floral note, unsweetened tea, and even some bubble gum!

Mouthfeel: Medium. 

Palate: Quite rich - tropical fruit, now, baking spices from the cabinet, and oak. 

Finish: Dry oak, some lingering fruit. 

Verdict: Quite nice. This was a very popular dram around the room at the tasting. Many people had this listed as their favorite or almost favorite. I haven't loved too many ex-bourbon Glenfarclas bottles I've had, but this one - with the wine maturation - was quite good indeed. Worth you time. 

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