Glenfarclas 1960 Family Casks 2014 Sherry Cask #1771

Glenfarclas 1960 Family Casks

• Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
• Distillery Bottling

70cl / 42.2%

This 1960-vintage Glenfarclas has been released as part of the 2014 tranche of the distillery’s The Family Cask series. Matured in a single sherry hogshead and bottled at full strength of 42.2% on 9 July 2014.

I’m sorry, but does the name ‘Family Cask’ remain valid if George has left? Anyway, if La Maison have selected such a young drop to celebrate their 65th anniversary, there must be a reason, let’s try to find it. Colour: deep red amber. Nose: sometimes, rich young sherry monsters may start like bourbon, in this case with rather a lot of varnish and acetone, over a nicely caramelised pecan pie straight from the oven. And then it’s cake after cake, kougelhopf, tarte tatin, panettone. Glenfarclas 1960 Family Casks 2014 Sherry Cask #1771

Well we’re almost over the moon about this young beauty that, what’s more, feels unexpectedly ‘craft’. With water: seriously, I doubt you could do much better in Speyside, at this young age. Probably buries most neighbours… Mouth (neat): perfect, if a little brutal and a little too much on cherries and strawberries because of the very high strength. And on Texas-style sweet and smoked barbecue sauce. There, let’s add water… With water: toffee, chocolate, marmalade, raisins and coffee, the holy pentangle of sherried Speyside whisky. We’ll now sip this away while listening to Jacqui Mcshee’s Pentangle, if you don’t mind… Finish: long and more on raisins, fig arrack, dried jujubes and litchees… The aftertaste is very chocolatey again, with even a little smoke. Comments: as good as it gets at ten years old.