[WHISKY TASTING] A Christmas Malt From The Heart of Speyside 🎄 ⛄ 🎅

steemswede (70)in #whisky • 8 years ago (edited)

I've already written a lot about the independent and family owned Scottish distillery Glenfarclas, one of my absolute favorite distilleries, so we'll go straight to the whisky in question. If you're interested in information about the distillery kindly see my earlier posts.

This malt is called Christmas Edition because it's usually distilled on the 24th of December. This particular batch was however distilled on the 21 of December 1995. Close enough. After some 19 years on a sherry cask it was bottled in July 2014. Seven different sherry casks were used to get 2004 bottles. About half of the alcohol evaporates during a maturation time of 19 years; this is what's usually called 'angels share'. I've enjoyed this bottle for a while now, but have saved the review for this special day!

Glenfarclas Christmas Edition, 1995

ABV: 46%
Age: 19 yo
Region: Speyside
Price: ~80-85 USD / 0.7L
Uncolored and un-chillfiltered (that's the beauty of independent distilleries.)

Appearance: Mahogany (considering it's uncolored it has to be very influenced by the sherry.)

Nose: Intense and heavy sherry notes together with dark fruits. A typically full and rich oloroso whisky with chocolate, prunes and some coffee. There is a faint nutty aroma as well, perhaps walnuts. The 46% of alcohol does a good job of carrying all the aromas. This bottle really does elicit that Christmas spirit. Let's see how it fairs in the mouth.

Palate: Dear god this is heavenly. THIS is what a full bodied whisky is all about. A luscious explosion of rich sherry-sweetness that is balanced by a slight bitterness of dark chocolate, nuts and coffee. Also a great deal of pepperiness from the European oak that tingles the tongue. The palate pretty much copies the nose, which is most welcome. It all very much reminds me of one of those rich Christmas fruitcakes.

Finish: Long, oaky and dry with a lingering sherry-sweetness.

Conclusion: This is what some people call a 'sherry monster'; a monster that is welcome to stay under my bed any time! At this very affordable price, considering it's a 19 year old whisky, it's a no-brainer: BUY! There are still some bottles available for sale on Ebay and elsewhere, but hurry up, because they will soon be but a memory. If you have a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit, Glenfarclas Christmas Edition will help you. 95 snow covered and merry points out of 100.