Glenfarclas 1967 Family Casks Cask #5113

• Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
• Distillery Bottling

70cl / 55.6%

Firstly, A heavily sherried 1967 vintage Glenfarclas released as part of the much acclaimed Family Casks Series. This was aged in sherry butt 5113 before being bottled at cask strength of 55.6% on 15 April 2016. One of just 64 bottles.

Meanwhile, Glenfarclas 1967 Family Casks Cask #5113 is even more special, as it’s a ‘one of one’ bottling my excellent friend Luc Timmermans presented me with for my 30th birthday. Right, 50th. I think the word ‘unique’ has never been more appropriate. Oh, and dear Glenfarclas collectors, the answer is ‘no way’. Colour: dark amber (slightly paler than cask #1767). Nose: sure we’re in the same family but this one is rather drier, more mineral and more waxy, which cannot not please this taster. It’s also a little more on the mentholated/herbal side, with also playful whiffs of dill and even chives, whiffs of old books and papers, touches of liquorice and quite some smoked ham. In the background, a little wood smoke, coffee and milk chocolate. Glenfarclas 1967 Family Casks Cask #5113

Further, Saying that this is perfect would be an understatement. With water: pure beauty. Less emphatic than cask #1767 but more elegant, beautifully restrained, delicate… And so complex! Mouth (neat): we aren’t far from its sibling once again but this is even more on pine sap and liquorice, bitter herbs, Smyrna raisins, then prunes and dried figs, tobacco, more liquorice… A light heaviness, does that exist? With water: more dried herbs and more tannins but it’s all under control. Superb. Finish: long, spicier. Evokes some precious woods and soft spices. Comments: frankly, it’s very great. It doesn’t need water but it takes it well. Swims like… Frenchman Benoit Lecomte who crossed the Atlantic Ocean for 73 days in 1998