This bottling is darker than its stablemates from the 90s, with a hint of redness.

The thick, powerful nose is bursting with sherry – and demerara sugar.

The lovely malty flavour keeps pace with the powerful, rich viscous flavours of sherry. It’s a full whisky that demands respect; high in alcohol and flavour.

Adding a little water does not tame the flavours. Instead, it simply elongates the sensation until you reach the lovely caramelised fruit flavours near the end.

The finish is something to write home about – very elegant and refreshing.
Bottled 2007.

A beautiful red sunrise.

Malty nose, sweet, big olorosso, hand polished antique wood panelling.

Lovely tones coming through in a platter of spiced fruit, a creme brulee topping with extra Demerara sugar. Then to end a hint of buttery vanilla.

A great all rounder. Fresh, sweet and with a big finish.
Bottled 2010.

Colour? Smooth amber. Nose? Rich and delicious with essences of pears and toffee. This is a whisky that’s appetising to say the least. It’s rich in sherry but not in an overpowering way.

Lightly roasted chestnuts with a chocolate dipping sauce spring immediately to mind. The texture is rich with a slight oily covering, giving you a very smooth silky coating to your entire mouth.

The finish is big and powerful, with a lot of fruit berries and some lovely burnt chocolate.
Bottled 2007.

Light yellowy-bronze. Fruity and fragrant – with a hint of elder flower perhaps.

The flavour is buttery and light. You can almost taste the freshly-made pancakes, served with syrup and ice cream. It’s very smooth and refreshing, and dances over the tongue with light touches of pear drops.

The finish is beautifully fresh; long and light.
Bottled 2007.

This bottling radiates amber gold.

Savour the powerful rich nose of almonds and rich fruit cake, and then enjoy the spectacular flavours of sherry-soaked fruit. Some light tannins are apparent here but this is a very fresh whisky; a lovely mix of sherry and Spanish oak. Very appetising.

The big finish is long and sweet. A little water slows the finish down further – and uncovers chocolate to die for.
Bottled 2007.

The colour of Autumn Gold.

Indulge yourself in the pleasant warming nasal effect, quite spicy with a subtle hint of green pepper.

This is a strong whisky that almost explodes in your mouth leaving you with a sensation perhaps similar to a sprinkling of pepper. Adding a few drops of water opens up the whisky and it reminds me of cooked apples with a hint of cinnamon further developing into sweet rum & raisin fudge.

A long imposing finish, leaving the everlasting flavours dancing around the upper palate of your mouth.
Bottled 2010.

This golden brown bottling is the youngest of our first release of The Family Casks collection, but is has the character to stand up to its older siblings.

The nose leaves you thinking of pear drops. It ’s buttery in character with gentle hints of vanilla essence. Perfumed.

Citrus flavours are ever-present with some fresh herbs and spices, underpinned by light sherry and vanilla.

The finish is pure sherry but some earthy flavours are also present.
Bottled 2007.

Rich Amber Gold

A fresh perfumed whisky, oozes sherry.

Great balance of vanilla, nuts chocolate and fruit. Citrus notes present, which remind me of sweet lime marmalade.

A big whisky for only being 15 years old.

Good balanced finish, with more sherry.
Bottled 2010.

Autumn Straw Gold in Colour.

A rich powerful nose. Once past the over 60% nose there is a rich fresh sherry, vanillas, light spiciness, cooking treacle. Even some light tannins present too.

A very creamy whisky, coats your mouth with a lovely layer of toffee, fudge and honey. You would never believe that this whisky has such a high percentage of alcohol. A relatively short finish that definately leaves you wanting more.

This particular whisky was picked by guests at my Master Class during the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival 2010. Thirty guests had a choice of 6 whiskies from 1995 and this was the winner.

I hope you will enjoy it as much as they did.
Bottled 2010.

Together with George Grant, this fantastic whisky was selected by the panel of visitors who came to an event at Glenfarclas - 'The Family Casks - help choose the 1996 bottling', held during the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival 2011. The following tasting note was compiled by George and the 30 people who selected the cask.

Tangerine, polished bronze.

Roasted Chestnuts, deep sherry, Christmas cake flavours, toffee chocolate, light vanilla custard, old leather, the smell of a lovely cared for old book. Chocolate orange dried apricots. A cinnamon tanginess.

A wonderfully balanced whisky very rounded.

Bottled 2011.