Glenfarclas 105

The Glenfarclas whisky distillery draws its water from pure springs on the rugged Ben Rinnes mountain range, which looms omnipresent in the distant reaches. The distillery sits in the moors of Banffshire, just a mile from the River Spey. Glenfarclas has always been, and it seems will remain to be, one of Scotland’s only family run distilleries. Accordingly, there is a strong degree of independence. Prized by connoisseurs, the single malt whiskies of Glenfarclas are matured almost solely in sherry butts and are aged in the substantial onsite warehousing facilities; the 28 warehouses hold 52,000 casks.

One of the few Scotch makers never to use exotic woods for maturation, Glenfarclas retains its integrity. The distillery was first founded in 1836 by Robert Hay. However, there is some evidence that there was a distillery on the site over a century prior. Following Robert’s death in 1865, John and George Grant acquired the distillery for ‘511 pounds and 19 shillings’. They leased it to the Glenlivet’s John Smith. John Smith chose to pursue his newly founded Cragganmore distillery instead and in 1870 Messrs Grant ran Glenfarclas once more.

After the Second World War, and the resultant abolition of rationing, the distillery’s fortunes were good and in 1960 Glenfarclas doubled its stills to four. In 1972, the surge in demand left the onsite floor maltings less than ample to cope, accordingly malted barley was bought in. The whisky distillery has an extensive range of single malt whiskies, particularly so after the 2007 release of the Family Casks range with a bottling from every vintage between 1952 and 1994. The distillery also operates a visitor centre, lavishly decorated with items from the ocean liner “Empress of Australia”, including a board room using the wooden panelling from the luxury liners drawing room, named accordingly: “The Ship’s Room”.

Glenfarclas 105 is a superb cask strength whisky, with a history that can be traced to 1968. When the original incarnation was released that year, Glenfarclas became the first distillery to release a barrel proof single malt whisky.

The bottling was eventually re-named to 105, referring to its alcohol content in British Proof, which equates now to 60% ABV.

The 105 doesn’t carry an age statement presently, making it rare among Glenfarclas bottlings. Although, there are suggestions that it is matured for 8-10 years in a combination of both ex-sherry and ex-bourbon barrels.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Great depth, Sherry. Creamy and nutty. Honey on toast, touch of smoky coffee.

Palate: Silken, spicy and peppery oak. Almond, praline, hazelnut, dried peels, fruity. Touch of Armagnac, hint of rancio perhaps?

Finish: Long, peppery and nutty.