Glenfarclas 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

"A superb re-working of an always trustworthy malt... What a sensational success!" - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2024

Of the more contemporary age statement bottlings, Glenfarclas 12 YO has had a rollercoaster ride in terms of reviews over the last few decades. Some are lukewarm, others like Jim Murray are more than enthusiastic, rating it just one point below the venerable 40 year old! Due to its atypical flavour profile, many have concluded that it must be x-Bourbon matured - unusual for this distillery. Glenfarclas have settled the matter. At the time of writing (according to the official website) this is 100% Oloroso matured. About two-thirds is aged in first and second-fill sherry casks, the remainder in third and fourth fill sherry casks. It's then bottled after a light filtration. The re-used barrels act a bit like spent tea bags having less influence on the whisky each time they're filled, which explains why this doesn't taste like a sherry bomb. Instead, 'Farclas 12YO is all about subtlety, letting the distillate get a show while providing a medium-bodied, appetising alternative to the bolder 15 year old. Splash it over ice or add a little water and the flavours become like liquid muesli bar, sweetening up with delicious effect. 43% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews... A superb re-working of an always trustworthy malt. The dramatic change in shape works a treat and suits the malt perfectly. What a sensational success! 94 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2024

"This Speyside Scotch is rich with vanilla notes, along with bright tropical fruit and a touch of smoke on the finish."  - wineenthusiast.com

...It seems like the Glenfarclas 12 hasn’t changed after all these years, which is a good thing. It’s still a solid single malt, but there are others that can be similar to it. Drinking this even made me think of ex-bourbon cask aged Kavalan. Now, this isn’t a complaint but I’ve always wondered if this is really purely matured in ex-sherry casks. The lack of a dark color doesn’t matter to me, but it doesn’t have the flavors you get from the typical ex-sherry cask matured Highland or Speyside single malt. I wonder if these are mostly from well-used ex-American oak sherry casks? Which, if I’m correct, explains the lack of ex-sherry cask flavor, and explains why I seem to taste more of the distillery DNA. It’s nice to have tried this again after not having had a Glenfarclas in years. Perhaps I should start thinking of this as more of a spirit-forward sherried single malt rather than a wood-forward sherried single malt? - July 2022, malt-review.com

...Classic Speyside. On the nose, there’s lots of honey and maple notes, with a biscuity character that offers lightly buttery, grainy notes. The sherry influence is slight, offering some punch on the nose but also just a hint of orange peel on the finish, following a body that offers tastes of chocolate malt balls, lightly roasted peanuts, and some dried ginger. This is a perfect “everyday” dram — not overwhelming, but with enough nuance to merit continued exploration — and affordable. - drinkhacker.com

Nose: Deceptive. Seems restrained, but at close quarters is quite powerful. Nutty, with a splash of lemony sourness. Palate:Big, firm. Hard toffee. Burnt, peat-smoke, notes. Finish: Spicy. Ginger snaps. Shortbread. Long, lingering. Comment: Confident. Straightforward. A first-class whisky. Well-rounded. No-nonsense. 8.5/10 - Michael Jackson - whiskymag.com

[2014 bottling tasted] Deep gold. Shortbread and enticing vanilla custard on the nose; decidedly fuller, richer and overall slightly better balanced than the 10 year old, however, there's an odd match box/pickled onion flavour and a sharp edge to the profile that leaves you wanting. Concludes semi sweet, spiced up with gingery warmth but a little thin to finish. 89 points