Tuesday, 26 February 2013

Glenfarclas 15 Year Old


Rating:
★★★★★
Score:
87/100
ABV:
46%
Region:
Speyside, Scotland
Body:
Medium
Intensity:
Light-medium
Texture:
Medium
Balance:
Great
Best served:
Neat
Theme(s):
Sweet sherry, freshness, saltiness 
In a nutshell:
Vibrant, fresh and energetic ex-sherry 
Likes:
Fresh and light sweetness
Dislikes:
Shy whisky needing lots of attention
Price:
$98

  

The Glenfarclas 15 Year Old begins on the palate with a cloud of bitterness that breaks down and releases a rain of sherry sweetness with hints of caramel and sugar. The taste of sherry lingers on the tongue after swallowing, but this sweetness is moderated by some bitter oak and salty soy sauce.This is a great solid sherry cask, with fresh sweetness that is dangerously "more-ish".

Nose

There is a light sweetness lifting up, with notes of honey and sherry. A light bitterness in the form of oak is present, but it does not dominate. Here is a saltiness about this whisky, but it seems to take the form of soy sauce as it gently dances with sweet sherry and candied peaches in a field of lush grass. It is light and fresh on the nose.

Taste

Sweet on the entry, the sherry hits the tongue as subtle wood notes and bitterness set in with the lingering presence of rock salt on the tongue. I’ve tasted this somewhere before, it almost reminds me of prosciutto wrapped around the dark red heart of a juicy watermelon (as opposed to the usual cantaloupe).  The salty protein interacts with the sugary fructose in an interesting, though not entirely pleasant, way.

Finish

The finish is possibly the worst part, because while this whisky has some good complexity its finish is dominated by a dense saltiness that angrily chases away the other flavours. 

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