Glenfarclas Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 17 Years
86 Proof
Price Point: $75 – $85 for 750 ML
Distiller: Glenfarclas Distillery
Background
I recently wrote a review of Glenfarclas 12 Year Old, a Highland single malt Scotch. It’s a whisky that I enjoy, but not one that I would likely purchase regularly. Fortunately for people like me, most brands of Scotch have multiple expressions available, some different by ingredients and technique and some different by age. Glenfarclas has multiple age expressions; 10, 12, 17, 21, etc. Luckily I have a bottle of the 17 Year Old readily available, so here it goes.
Review
The nose on Glenfarclas 17 Year Old is pretty nice – surprisingly reminiscent of Glenlivet. There’s some of that “pineapple” sweetness present. I suppose when distilleries are within ten miles of each other, they’re bound to share certain qualities.
The taste is quite a bit maltier than the younger expression. As with the 12 Year Old, there’s just a hint of smoke, which is a nice little surprise. In addition to the malt, there’s a bit of sweetness to counteract.
It’s a little harsh on the back-end, which I happen to find appealing, but some people may not like.
Rating & Recommendations
Glenfarclas 17 Year Old is a solid whisky and definitely worthy of a score of 84 out of 100.
Leave this one alone and drink it neat. If you have to, only add a couple drops of water.
I like the Glenfarcals whisky line as a whole, and the 17 Year Old is no exception.
-Ryan
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Hi Ryan! Glenfarclas 21 is my favorite Speyside. The 17 is very close – and is a top contender. I get a lot of sherry – and you’re certainly right about pineapple – although I usually read it more as tangerine. I also get nougat, vanilla, and sweet cream. I only have a bottle of the 25 at home at the moment. It’s a bit darker and more wooded which doesn’t really improve the package much and accentuates the bitter note at the close of the finish which is the only fly in the ointment from my perspective (but I understand why you like it).. Actually the whole Glenfarclas line are really similar to one another and have a clear family lineage. I like that Glenfarclas isn’t too creative. I get a very traditional feel about the whole enterprise.
Author
Hi Josh.
I have a review in the queue for the 21 Year Old, and yes, it is my favorite of the bunch! I haven’t had the 25 Year Old, but I trust your judgment. 😉
I agree about Glenfarclas having a “traditional feel”. It seems that they figured out how to make great Speyside Scotch, and they are sticking to it!
-Ryan
The one thing I really wish Glenfarclas would do is bottle their main whiskies at slightly higher proof. The 105 is a delightful beast and even getting up to 46% would be a significant improvement for the others. Sherry needs some punch behind it.
Author
Hi Jordan.
That seems to be the issue with a lot of “premium” Scotches – they look to save a few bucks by bottling at an average or minimal proof. It keeps their costs down and satisfies the masses, but the true whisky fan doesn’t always agree.
Thanks for the comment!
-Ryan
The Glenfarclas 15 year old is bottled at 46%. But for some reason it’s not available in the US (not sure about Canada). Instead we get the 17 which SHOULD be bottled at the same proof.
I too have the 12 at home. A very nice whisky, but not my favorite. I had a sample of the 2011 Movember that they released through Master of Malt and that was really good. The one I hear getting really great reviews is the 15, but that one isn’t available in the US. I’ll have to track down a sample of the 17. Sounds very good!
Cheers!
G-LO
Hey i just bought ‘farclas 17 here in states at 86 proof at corner liquor store. Glad it isnt 80 proof– but it was $109 which is more than $75-85 referenced above. Hmmm…
Author
Wow, it seems to have gone up in price since I last saw it in stores! Hope it was worth it to you.
-Ryan
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