The Family Casks

Strength: 53.6% Vol.

Cask: 566 Sherry Butt

A rich, dark maple-syrup colour with a ruby tinge.

Powerful on the nose, with apples and pears prominent over the sherry.

A powerful exterior hiding a mellow centre of rich enticing flavours of marinated fruit – like peaches soaked in brandy. A little smoky at the back of your mouth but a delicate sensation.

Another great lingering finish for this dram. Sit and sip, and melt into your favourite armchair. A massage in a glass.
1970

Strength: 57.1% Vol.

Cask: 140 Sherry Butt

Colour of deep, dark amber.

The nose is glorious. Eventually you have to pull yourself away and dare yourself to taste the whisky. Will it live up to the wonderful experience of the bouquet? There’s no need to worry. The flavours – almost a peach and apricot infusion – do not disappoint; perfect partners for the delightful nose.

This whisky has a beautiful long, elegant finish with a little peat smoke and earthy notes to the back of the mouth, where there is a lovely sweet finish.

Strength: 51.1% Vol.

Cask: 3546 Sherry Butt

A light bronze-honey colouring.

Nose marked by chocolate flavours, smoke and clove spices. Almost like mulled wine which develops into floral attributes.
Initial caramel makes way for toffee apples, then onto apples and pears.

Finish more spices, liquorice and bitter chocolate at the back of your throat.

A perfect balance between whisky and sherry.
1972

Strength: 58.8% Vol.

Cask: 2578 Sherry Butt

A wonderful lighter whisky. From a sherry cask but without the rich colour you will find with other whiskies from The Family Casks collection. However, it’s still rather dark.

This whisky is fresh and lively, and makes for a superb aperitif. A little vanilla first, followed by some smoke, then light citrus notes.

A beautiful full whisky that deserves time for you to appreciate it fully.

Strength: 60.8% Vol.

Cask: 5786 Sherry Butt

The colour is gold – strong 24--carat gold.

With a powerful nose of vanilla and walnuts, this distinct whisky from Glenfarclas is light and fresh. Add a little water and let it open up to reveal delightful pear drop flavours.

It has a medium-length finish, with some malty notes apparent.

Strength: 51.4% Vol.

Cask: 5038 Refill Hogshead

The colour is a beautiful rich amber, more akin to the colour you would expect from a first-fill cask.

The nose is a tantalising mix of honey, sweet fruits and ripe melon – a fresh whisky with a lot to offer.

On initial tasting, this big, powerful whisky is rich in sherry with some bitter orange flavour at the back of the mouth.

The finish is definitely buttery, like butterscotch dessert. A beautiful whisky that leaves a silky flavouring that coats your mouth and throat.

Strength: 45.9% Vol.

Cask: 5043 Refill Hogshead Release IV

A beautiful light oak colour.

A very fresh nose on this whisky, young and vibrant. Almost like cantaloupe melon infused with Chinese green tea.

This whisky bears a vague similarity to our standard 25 Years Old. This is the crème version. Light oakiness peppered with walnuts.

An oaky, bitter dark chocolate finish. This whisky is starting to taste its age.

 


Strength: 49.4% Vol.

Cask: 3111 Refill Butt

1976 was an excellent year for Glenfarclas – I was born! Although this is a refill sherry cask, it still has an amazing colour; a lovely rich amber-bronze.

This is a very fruity whisky – lots of wine comparisons can be made. It’s also a very fresh whisky. I suggest comparing this with our Glenfarclas 30 Years Old, and exploring the differences.

It is a very creamy whisky; peaceful with a little malty sweetness and pear drops apparent at the back of the mouth.

An intriguing whisky that leaves you wanting to try it again. I think I shall.

Strength: 59% Vol.

Cask: 61 Refill Butt

A light whisky on the eye. However, a honey sweetness you would associate with a much darker dram. Although not as heavily sherried as other Glenfarclas expressions, the nose on this whisky is divine. Very sweet and well balanced.

A buttery smooth whisky, with spicy undertones.

A short intense finish, which fills your entire mouth.
1977

Strength: 50.3% Vol.

Cask: 587 Refill Hogshead

For a refill cask, this whisky has a lovely copper colour.

A light fragrant nose of earthy notes mixed with fresh dew on a summer day.

It’s definitely a summery whisky with fresh herbs and fresh grass cuttings coming through. Quite floral.

The finish is elegant and surprisingly long. Just when you think you have lost the flavour, it reappears again. A great whisky that’s probably preferable before, rather than after, dinner.
1978

Strength: 57.6% Vol.

Cask: 626 Plain Hogshead Release III

Interesting - not what you would usually expect from Glenfarclas. But still, a great whisky.

The light, pale gold colour belies a solid whisky. A little estery on the nose - parma violets spring to mind.

Although it is a little spirity, once the initial power of the whisky has passed there are some very pleasant floral aromas. In fact, this is floral whisky from start to finish, almost like camomile tea.

It is slightly creamy, almost fudge like, with a light buttery sweetness. Maple syrup perhaps. The finish is also floral, but not too sweet.

1978 Release III

Strength: 52.8% Vol.

Cask: 146 Plain Hogshead

The colour of olive oil.

A nice smooth appetising nose reveals light spices and an estery aroma with fresh fruit.

It’s a creamy whisky, with light caramel toffee. In fact, the sweetness reminds me of our very own Glenfarclas Whisky Fudge.

It has a satisfying finish with floral notes.

Strength: 50.6% Vol.

Cask: 2216 Plain Hogshead Release III

Amber gold, this light, refreshing dram doesn't fail to deliver. It rather reminds me of our 21 Years Old, but is bigger and more robust.

It's very fruity, like a fruit cocktail in your glass. Lovely Christmas spices are also ever-present, and it has a great nose - oranges stuffed with cloves and chocolate liqueurs.

This is a pleasant, smooth whisky - a little creamy in fact, putting me in mind of toffee apples. The creamy sweetness is balanced with light sherry and vanilla.

All in all, a very well-rounded, balanced whisky that leaves you wanting more.


Strength: 45.2% Vol.

Cask: 11015 Plain Hogshead Release IV

Beautiful light ray of sunshine.

A truly amazing nose, so fresh and vibrant, light esters, spice and a fresh fruit salad. 1979 has been a popular year. So far we have bottled two casks for general release, and one exclusively for Spain, hence this is our fourth bottling from 1979 for The Family Casks.

A great creamy buttery whisky, lovely light caramel toffee, again the texture and flavours of our Glenfarclas fudge.

Great finish long and very distinguished. A wondeful plain whisky that more than stands out against its heavily sherried counterparts.



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Glenfarclas Distillery, Ballindalloch, Banffshire, AB37 9BD, Scotland.
Tel: +44 (0) 1807 500257 Fax: +44 (0) 1807 500234 e-mail: info@glenfarclas.co.uk