Nice entry-level single malt from my favorite distillery, Glenfarclas. I actually like this a bit better than the 25 (which is weird, I know: I think that's more a function of the particular incarnation of the 25 I currently have). Terrible at identifying aromas in scotch, but there's a great smokiness coupled with a subtle nutty character along with a hint of vanilla. A little astringent - should probably be cut with a few drops of water - but otherwise a terrific scotch for the money. — 7 years ago
Nose: dark dried fruits a la plums, raisins, and dark cherries, pungent oloroso sherry molasses-esque sweetness, spiced honey and toasted caramel. Quite sharp at the cask strength 60.1%. A bit of water cuts the numbing sharpness, and brings out the dark fruit and honey elements as well as the musty (in a good way) oloroso sherry notes. A very distinct orange ginger coffee cake aroma emerged with the addition of water as well.
Mouthfeel/body: very full and silky, viscous. Good tingle at cask strength. Not quite as viscous after the addition of water (obviously), but maintains its body and silky character.
Palate: More dark cherries, raisins, spiced dried fruit, cinnamon, more pungent molasses oloroso notes. A bit of water cuts the numbing sharpness of the cask strength alcohol volume and opens up the dark dried fruits notes and pungent sherry notes, as well as more spice.
Conclusion: Great whisky with plenty complexity and character for the price. Tastes a bit young and spirit-y at cask strength but since I typically cut it with a tiny splash of water, this hasn't been much of an issue. — 9 years ago
Golden raisin, strawberries, figs, cut red apple, sweet potato, lemon-dill, oregano, smoke and an almost sweet peat smell as sherry shoulders in. Orange is the backbone, from pure squeezed, to zest, oil and pith. Toast, cedar, humidor, and nougats with roasted almond and cashew from the oak. Very smooth and sensuous mouthfeel with immediate expansion of vanilla, mocha, toffee, and finally a shimmering cinnamon with tiny sparks of heat. Secondary voices of pencil, oregano, crepe caramel, lemon peel, shaved chocolate, buffalo grass that burns into a long finish, with jalapeño-turned-peat. This is extraordinary. I know they are coopering their own barrels on site, and I think it is making a fine whisky even finer. Kudos for this magical glory. — 5 years ago
Mild, fragrant smell, velvety taste well balanced not very full bodied, not super sweet or tannic moderate all the way. But very slight spike of tannins at the tip/middle — 7 years ago
Beautiful sherry and vanilla intermingle tastefully in this smooth, rich, round Irish whiskey. A real cut above. — 9 years ago
This tasted more like a rye than a bourbon, stiff alcohol on the front but very pleasant. Needs some ice. — 6 years ago
Aromas of gingerbread, apricot, cut red apples, lemon pith, tea biscuit and caramel. What a smooth and amazingly deft whiskey on entry; lifting off the palate like a smoldering Phoenix immolating in slow-mo as it becomes engulfed in various smokes layering endlessly outward in its bourgeoning expansion. It evokes congnac’s finest offerings, showing mixed apple and baked orchard fruits and complex spice and pastries, but cask choices leave no doubt to its whiskey-ness. All the nobility, but with the sinewy strength of a seasoned warrior. #scotch #whiskey #whisky #macallan #No4 #HighlandWhiskey — 6 years ago
A terrific speyside from a distillery that is no more (demolished in 2013). Cask strength, so it had to be cut with a little bit of water, but afterwards exhibited great sherry notes along with aromas of burnt wood, maybe some hickory, and had a wonderful, lingering finish. A gift from Eric Juban, a former student who laid the foundation for a lot of our current work in the lab on the photophysics of Cr complexes. Cheers! — 7 years ago
Frank Kuo
Color of saturated caramel. Nose of refined fermented grains, baked apple, dates, a bit sherry wood, a bit cinnamon, sweet caramel, and powerful. Taste is quite dry, just a hint of sweetness, with cinnamon, baked apple, zest, woody, thick, and spice. Sweetness and chocolate come later after dilutes in mouth. Aftertaste of some more briny note, salty mineral, honey note, more dark chocolate, and thick oily. Pretty concentrated and refined. — 5 years ago