hs305 scored this whisky 92 points 
[January, 2021] I had the pleasure to try a cask sample of this stuff and guess what - I ordered a bottle on the spot...
...because this is another old-school (most probably) 'farclas in the best tradition of this fine distillery. Obviously, they invest more money in high-quality sherry casks than most other distilleries so (some of) their casks are seasoned with long-matured sherry instead of the usual unmatured (pre-sherry) wine. This addiction to quality is the clear advantage of a family-run business over controller-operated big conglomerates or investor-driven groups (like Edrington who owns Macallan).
The quality uplift of this investment is flabbergasting: This dram is on eye-level with old-school sherry maturations of the past, and it is dangerously quaffable. Absolutely on par with flawless Family Cask editions, no doubts.
[February, 2021] Finally, the bottle arrived and I have the chance to verify my old (small) cask sample notes with a larger measure of this exquisite stuff. And guess what?
I like it the same! Please see detailed notes below, scores remain unchanged.
...because this is another old-school (most probably) 'farclas in the best tradition of this fine distillery. Obviously, they invest more money in high-quality sherry casks than most other distilleries so (some of) their casks are seasoned with long-matured sherry instead of the usual unmatured (pre-sherry) wine. This addiction to quality is the clear advantage of a family-run business over controller-operated big conglomerates or investor-driven groups (like Edrington who owns Macallan).
The quality uplift of this investment is flabbergasting: This dram is on eye-level with old-school sherry maturations of the past, and it is dangerously quaffable. Absolutely on par with flawless Family Cask editions, no doubts.
[February, 2021] Finally, the bottle arrived and I have the chance to verify my old (small) cask sample notes with a larger measure of this exquisite stuff. And guess what?
I like it the same! Please see detailed notes below, scores remain unchanged.
-
- please see official tasting notes (done from cask sample) -
From bottle: The colour is quite dark at auburn and the nose offers a truly complex and harmonious old-school sherry profile in nice balance with the fine 'farclas malt aromas and rather shy wooden notes. Not a single off-note or imbalance that I can find, this is the nose of an excellent old sherry maturation, no doubt. By the way, there are very nice OBFs (furniture polish) in this nose which are rarely to find in modern maturations. -
- please see official tasting notes (done from cask sample) -
From bottle: The taste is nicely layered of both sweet malt and bitter wooden flavours in a hide-and-seek play. The only reliable component is the sherry which provides the stage all other flavours use happily to perform their parts of the play. No flaws or fouls during that, all works out very well. Some water releases more impressions both in the nose and on the palate, and it turns the dram even more quaffable. I like it both neat and somewhat reduced. -
- please see official tasting notes (done from cask sample) -
From bottle: The initial mouthfeel is warming and charming with a creamy texture covering my mouth instantly. There are some minor bitter-drying moments (tannins) but they are no major deal. Actually, they are rather welcomed given the otherwise sweet profile. The finish is of medium length and adds more chocolatey and herbal impressions with again some bitter-drying wooden moments which are not distracting, and they vanish with a slight reduction (if you do not like them).
