Glenfarclas 8 Year 105 Proof (c. 1960s-1968)
Whisky: Glenfarclas 8 Year 105 Proof (c. 1960s-1968)
Country/Region: Scotland/Speyside
ABV: 60%
Cask: Oak
Age: 8 Years
Nose: Rich baking spices and dried fruits with accents of waxed leather, new rubber rain boots, and leather polish. Concentrated dried date and figgy sugars with wispy smoke and struck match heads. A touch savory at times with balsamic glaze, toasted herbs, and pipe tobacco.
Palate: Medium-bodied and rich, vibrant and spirited with a peppery prickle throughout, dried dates and figs with herbal tobacco, waxed leather, and wood polish; more licorice, nutmeg, and espresso toward the end; water brought out cocoa, lacquered wood, and old wooden tobacco pipe.
Finish: Medium-length with sweet dried fruits and peppery spice.
Score: 6-7 (80)
Mental Image: Leather Shoes and Cigars
Narrative & Notes: It was impossible not to compare this with the other 1960s Glenfarclas I reviewed. I poured them separately, on different occasions at first, but put them head to head for a final showdown as I wrapped up these notes. While they had much in common, this 8 Year felt simpler and less refined. Bottled at a slightly higher proof, the spirit stood out more, lending a peppery prickle to the nose and palate. The whisky was not without depth, especially some leathery-rubbery funk on the nose. Yet, the palate was more in line with a reasonably straightforward sherry bomb— albeit well-structured and above-average.
Overall, this was good and fun, even if it felt less distinctive than the other. I can understand why these 1960s or 70s Glenfarclas are a revelatory experience for some whisky drinkers.
About Glenfarclas
Always quaffable and nearly always a bargain compared to other brands, especially for its higher age statements. The malt shines at cask strength, though those releases are less common.
Renowned for their attention to detail and dedication to tradition, the Grant family has one foot in scotch history and another in its future. Much like Springbank in Campbeltown, Glenfarclas has a reputation for sticking with what works, yet their emphasis on brand identity (and legal enforcement of their trademarks) has made them a trendsetter and pioneer of the single malt market we enjoy today, even opening a visitor center way back in 1973.
Established in 1836, Glenfarclas has been in the hands of the Grant family since 1865. During the booming 1960s and 70s, the distillery underwent a massive expansion and transformation. Glenfarclas maintains a diverse portfolio of products that shift and change slightly occasionally (even if the labeling has remained relatively constant). The whisky produced there is rich and heavy as a slightly larger cut of the tails taken during distillation provides extra body to hold up against the sherry maturation for which the distillery is famous.
Style: Rich and malty, dried fruits and baking spice, typically sherried.
