Glenfarclas 38yo 1965/2004 (61.9%, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 1.110)

An older Glenfarclas bottled by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society; Glenfarclas was the very first distillery to be bottled by the Society. And additional point of interest is the very high alcohol percentage of this whisky, considering the age. The nose is fruity (tinned fruit salad in syrup, lychee, marmalade and slightly sour cherries), the other side of the coin from Christmas cake, macerated raisins etcetera. From the ‘wood’ side of the house there is bees wax (warmed), delicate oak, cold unsweetened tea, walnut shells, cocoa, vanilla and hints of resin. Sensational. With water it changes and becomes oily and the above mentioned descriptors pull together to form a united front along with coconut matting backed by buttered popcorn. Most definitely buttered popcorn. Antique cabinets. The taste undiluted is strong, concentrated and very dry. A hasty retreat is called for and a switch to the diluted sample; dramatically more gentle (with only a small amount of water), fruity and oily, cocoa etcetera. No appearance of the popcorn and now more earthy and syrupy. Star burst moments of fleeting dark chocolate. The finish is very large and quite excellent, still quite dry but not overly so, but with cocoa, the fruit and vanilla and raisins. The finish has ‘legs’ and is very long and very, very enjoyable. It is like a swirling ocean mist, always changing. Really big moments of oak and then not…

A dram for quiet contemplation by the fire; remain P.M. or go? Best wait until the morning.

£100 +/-

Score 91

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