AVB
Jesus of Cool, I'm bad, I'm nationwide
Glenfarclas 17 yo Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky, 750ml, 86 proof, tube packaging (although I have seen it without), short bottle style, about $70-80, available nationwide.
After watching crap fall out of the sky all day I knew I had to go next door and shovel my neighbor out so his home care worker could get up the driveway. This is one of those really wet thick snows which seem to weigh 40lbs per shovelful. That worked up a sweat and so I thought a nice glass of scotch would be a good way to relax afterwards. Too bad I don't smoke in the house or I'd fire up a stick to go along with it.
Glenfarclas is unusual in a number of respects. First; It is one of the few family run distilleries left having been run by the John Grant family since 1865. Second; it has the largest stills in all of Scotland. Third; It was again one of the few distilleries not to have closed since inception. Lastly; Only half of production is used for blends with the other half being marketed as a single malt.
Pouring a decent dollop in my glass I let it sit for a few minutes before nosing. The nose is clean, fruity and full with a touch of oak. Tasting brings out a remembrance of peach, pear and a bit more oak from the nosing. Very good depth and complexity as it coats the tongue. The finish is long with more oak showing up at the expense of the fruit but it retains a nice sweetness almost to the very end.
There are so many really good malts that come out of the speyside region it is hard to always be saying good things about them. Glenfarclas 17 is another that while good unto itself, also gives a good indication of what is to come. The 21 yo is a bit better, the 25 better still and the 30 yo (not available in the US) was the top medal winner at the International Spirits Challenge. I'll review the 30 at some point in the future before I finish my bottle. I can easily recommend this Glenfarclas to anyone looking for a good speyside or a good scotch in general.
After watching crap fall out of the sky all day I knew I had to go next door and shovel my neighbor out so his home care worker could get up the driveway. This is one of those really wet thick snows which seem to weigh 40lbs per shovelful. That worked up a sweat and so I thought a nice glass of scotch would be a good way to relax afterwards. Too bad I don't smoke in the house or I'd fire up a stick to go along with it.
Glenfarclas is unusual in a number of respects. First; It is one of the few family run distilleries left having been run by the John Grant family since 1865. Second; it has the largest stills in all of Scotland. Third; It was again one of the few distilleries not to have closed since inception. Lastly; Only half of production is used for blends with the other half being marketed as a single malt.
Pouring a decent dollop in my glass I let it sit for a few minutes before nosing. The nose is clean, fruity and full with a touch of oak. Tasting brings out a remembrance of peach, pear and a bit more oak from the nosing. Very good depth and complexity as it coats the tongue. The finish is long with more oak showing up at the expense of the fruit but it retains a nice sweetness almost to the very end.
There are so many really good malts that come out of the speyside region it is hard to always be saying good things about them. Glenfarclas 17 is another that while good unto itself, also gives a good indication of what is to come. The 21 yo is a bit better, the 25 better still and the 30 yo (not available in the US) was the top medal winner at the International Spirits Challenge. I'll review the 30 at some point in the future before I finish my bottle. I can easily recommend this Glenfarclas to anyone looking for a good speyside or a good scotch in general.
