Glenfarclas 17 Year

Review: Flavor Camp

Photo: Reece Sims

Overall Rating

Appearance: Rich Amber - The Glenfarclas 17 bottle has a classic, no-frills design that reflects the distillery's traditional values. Its label features the Glenfarclas logo in bold red script, standing out against a cream background with gold accents, adding a touch of elegance. That being said, if you were unfamiliar with the brand, it probably wouldn't stand out to you on the shelf.
Aroma: Heather and raisins are contrasted by a meaty, slightly sulphurous edge. Caramel dipped figs are accented by a touch of citrus. Vanilla spiced oak notes rounds out the profile.
Taste & Mouthfeel: The palate is extremely balanced and dynamic. Notes of pralines or butterscotch, white pepper, and dried cherries again are rounded out with a slight saline spiked sulphur note and a touch of sweetness.
Finish: Long, warm, and slightly dry, with lingering notes of rich sherry sweetness, dark chocolate, and a hint of oak spice
Distinctiveness: Across the Glenfarclas core range there's a savory (slightly sulphurous) sherried note that is distinctive thanks to the heavy used of sherry barrels and direct-fire stills.
Overall Drinkability & Balance: This is not a sherry bomb (and that's a good thing in this case).

Glenfarclas has been owned and operated by the Grant family since 1865, one of the few remaining independent distilleries in Scotland.
The meaty/sulphurous characteristic flavor in Glenfarclas often comes from the use of direct-fired stills, which impart a slight sulphuric or “meaty” quality, adding a layer of complexity to the whisky.
Glenfarclas is renowned for maturing its whiskies almost exclusively in Oloroso sherry casks, which give their whiskies a rich, fruity, and nutty depth that’s key to the distillery’s style.
“Glenfarclas” is derived from Scottish Gaelic, meaning “Valley of the Green Grass.” It reflects the distillery’s picturesque setting at the foot of Ben Rinnes in the heart of Speyside.