Glenfarclas 1979

Overall rating
89.50/100
ratings
8
Whiskybase ID
WB75752
Category
Single Malt
Distillery
Bottler
Distillery Bottling
Bottling series
The Family Casks (Release W15)
Vintage
1979
Bottled
25.08.2015
Cask Type
4th Fill Hogshead
Cask number
11018
Number of bottles
300
Strength
41.1 %
Size
700 ml
Added on
19 dec 2015 5:30 pm by Schmausel
UncoloredNon-chill FilteredCask StrengthSingle Cask Whisky
Photo by hs305
Overall rating
89.50/100
ratings
8

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Whisky reviews for Glenfarclas 1979

One user has left a review for this whisky. Average rating is 89.50 points.

Read the reviews
  1. hs305 scored this whisky 94 points Connoisseur

    [August 2024] Together with good friends I re-tasted this dram tonight, and I fully confirm my old review and score.

    [December 2018] To finish this year's The Family Casks monster tasting session I selected this 4th fill bourbon cask from a long-gone release (Winter 2015) that got rather average scores only (so far)...

    ...and I am not sure, why? Maybe because it is rather subtle and delicate (instead of punchy and aggressive)? Maybe it is a price thing? That is always the question with scores without notes - they are basically worthless for all other members...

    I for myself enjoy this dram very much and again this offers the wonders of a perfect 4th fill maturation: An unbelievably complex and balanced flavours profile without any dominance of the woods. It owns the adorable fruitiness of the 1979 vintage but adds loads of different aromas to create an excellent Traditional Scotch of the finest kind. This is comparable to the legendary mid-sixties (less peated) Bowmore drams that matured 35+years too, not kidding!
    • Nose
      94 94
      The colour is burnished what is unusual dark for a bourbon cask but this baby slept 35+years in oak so hopefully... the wood is not too strong. And it is perfect in the nose, not just the wood but everything. Yes, this release is from the benchmark 1979 vintage that delivered adorable fruity and complex drams before the 'farclas profile changed significantly in 1980 (no fruits anymore, but other fine aromas). This nose is an almost perfect mix of ripe fruits (of all kinds), honeys, sugars with spicy, nutty and shy peaty aromas that create a delicious and impressive experience. I can sniff such drams for hours...
    • Taste
      95 95
      The taste is truly multi-layered starting with all these tasty ripe fruits (both home-grown and exotic) that are contained within a firm and very appropriate wooden structure. The spices kick in to create a delicious fruits salad that later is topped with honey and fine smoked herbs ("peated basil" and more). The wood grows a little stronger over time but this is perfect as the honeys and sugars would otherwise drive the taste too sweet (and hence unbalanced). Some water releases even more aromas in the nose and flavours on the palate so if you own more than just a sample play a little around with reduced levels, this is very interesting (and tasty)...
    • Finish
      93 93
      The whisky instantly charms my taste buds upon arrival with a creamy and warming mouthfeel that owns just a minor (neglectable) drying-astringent moment from the tannins. This is pure pleasure! The finish is long and turns more bitter-spicy which is absolutely welcomed after the rather sweet taste. The fruits and honeys are still there but now the spices and herbs (even some salt) dare to step into the spotlight. As do some fine oily and waxy flavours that create an additional layer of themselves close to the end. The tannins stay calm but there is a minor cardboardy moment at the very end.

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