Glenfarclas 105

 

 

 

60°

Distillery : Glenfarclas - Speyside

1st and 2d Fill European Oloroso Sherry Casks 

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2016

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

The Glenfarclas 105 was first launched in 1968. More than an institution, it is a museum in itself. At the time, it was labelled 8 years old. It then became 10 years old in the 1970s. In 2014, the 8 year old label came back, and finally, in 2016, all mentions of age disappeared from the labels. I read somewhere that Glenfarclas didn't bottle whisky under 8 years old, but I'm not sure that's true, otherwise why remove the mention? Although it has been at exactly 60° for 53 years, it is a cask strength whisky. The different casks are blended to balance each other at exactly that strength, which can't be an easy task. The name 105 comes from the fact that 105 Proof in British measure used to correspond to 60°, but this has now changed.

Let's Taste It : 

Cream nose with candied cherries, morello cherries and amarena. Despite the total absence of peat, it is very smoky, no doubt due to the barrels that are particularly burnt. Intense, dark chocolate, almost bitter, varnished wood, damp leather, slightly acid strawberries. On the palate, it lacks a bit of flavour for 60°, some blood oranges, apricots, but it's intensely spicy, pepper, cumin, ginger, paprika. Wine lees, heather. Pure cocoa. Quite explosive finish, of course - a real kick! Vegetals, fresh earth, old marc.

 

In Short, 

This is indeed an absolute reference, the first Cask Strength and the first Sherry Bomb in the history of whisky. A must-have. Essential for any collection, especially as the price is very reasonable for what it is. 

Score : 86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                           Slowdive - Golden Hair