Glenfarclas 12

Special shout out to /u/Allumina for this (now not as much) elusive to me beginner’s dram.

And a special shout out that I’ve nearly completed reviews of all the beginners’ drams! Yay me!

Soon I’ll be trying to finish up the advanced drams (of which all but one are staring at me, waiting to be drank).

But enough anthropomorphism, what am I drinking today? Why, it’s the Sherried dram with the Cherry Jam, Glenfarclas 12. Yay!

Had a hard time finding this one, as for some reason it wasn’t in any pub I go to, AND the LCBO had sold out of it. Luckily I swapped for some.

Glenfarclas means valley of the green grass…. ooooohhh. They sum up that their signature flavour comes from the size of their stills (largest in the Highlands) and their ingredients. Also sounds like a rave chicks bush, if I’m honest.

However I’d say it’s the sherry casks that give it the distinctive taste (the Glenfarclas, not the rave chicks snatch). It’s just like Highland Park, who uses sherry casks on everything, that gives Glenfarclas their flavour.

But enough jibber jabber, let’s get to the slipper slapper (dram that is).

Price: $75.20 (CAD)

Region: Speyside

Abv: 43%

Colour: Light Gold

Nose: Currant, cinnamon, honey, violets, plums, light wheat

You have that initial “Fuck yeah there’s sherry influence” right away, with the spice and the currants. Eventually there’s some floral notes, however… well, if you don’t like sherry, turn back, here be Sherry dragons.

Taste: Strawberry, cloves, cinnamon, hot, brown sugar

Again, there’s a fruitiness here that is very “Farclas” in taste. As well, compared to the 10 year, a much thicker mouth feel, more than you’d expect with a 2 year difference. Not too complex, and a little bit hotter than I’d prefer.

Finish: Cranberry sauce, orange rind, pineapple, black pepper, cloves, ginger

And not “From the can” Cranberry sauce, I’m talking homemade, filled with more sugar than anything considered part of the main course Cranberry sauce. And spicy too!

Conclusion: Glenfarclas does sherried whisky. That’s the main thing. And as the second bump in the line, this shows that off quite well. The finish and mouthfeel are better than the 10 year.

That all said, while this is nice, the older versions are nicer, and Aberlour makes a more complex dram after 12 years. The Glenfarclas 12 is less expensive (or at least used to be), has more of that sherry one note punch, and would be a good way to start trying Sherry whisky.

77/100

Scotch review #173, Speyside #51, Whisky Network review #226

1001 Whiskies to taste before you die review #129