When going back in time with Glenfarclas, we will obviously try a couple of releases from the Family Cask series. A great range which displays all kinds of characters in this distillery, but probably a bit too large to be collected…
This one is Glenfarclas 1980 Family Cask #1942, part of the original batch of Family casks bottled in 2007.
Glenfarclas 1980
(50,1%, OB Family Cask I 2007, refill sherry butt #1942, 681 btl.)
Glenfarclas 1980 Nose: a very complex nose, starting on subtle fruity notes (apricot jam and mirabelles, with fresh lemon and orange). Growing beehive notes and wax. Then also leathery and earthy notes. Ferns and hay. Thyme. Tobacco leaves. A profile that I like very much.
Mouth: fruit jams with spices. Whitecurrants, mirabelles again. Fruit cake. Soft pepper sets in (the aromatic Szechuan type). Fresh walnuts, mint and fruit tea.
Finish: long, slightly on the dry side (over-infused tea) with some varnishy notes, but still very enjoyable.
An excellent start already. Great to see Glenfarclas without heavy sherry influence (maybe Fino?). Slightly too oaky in the very end to go over the 90 mark though. Around € 300.
Score: 89/100