Glenfarclas 25 Year Old

I tip this whisky into a glass. Glug glug glug! A lovely delicate and complex aroma wafts into the air and tickles my nose. I think it is an enjoyable whisky that has complexity and the lovely character of age; though this age does not drown out other flavours that chime in the chorus. Like an old cognac, this whisky releases sweet grape based flavours that grapple with bitter wood while earthy herbs like oregano and woody herbs like nutmeg glisten in the cloak of sweet maple or sappy oak. It is dense and heavy, with a medium-oily texture. I think this is beautiful whisky, and it very much reminds me of a lovely old brandy (for some reason a cognac more than an Armagnac, perhaps because this whisky has a lovely soft smoothness).

Like walking through Mamma’s kitchen on a breezy afternoon, the fragrance of oregano, basil and nutmeg delights. That strong oak dances with the grape sweetness, with notes of freshly cut grass and a splashing of thickened cream. Some dense caramel also develops, smothered over a dense orange cake with shavings of orange peel.The soft oak remains a constant, and this whisky releases a musty nose with a distinct nutty character almost like boasted chestnuts and old mushroom boxes.

This whisky hits the tongue with buttery softness, like a shortbread dunked in some crème anglaise. Then dense orange peel and dried muscatel grapes bring a fusion of sweet and bitter while the oak takes the baton for the bitter side and runs the race with the fitness expected of a 25 year old. That ground nutmeg, and now bay-leaf, adds some lovely complexity and depth. Letting this whisky rest in the glass brings out even more flavours, as a dash of lime and sprig of parsley provide the perfect garnish!

The finish on this whisky lingers for a long time, bringing shimmers of sherry and oak and the occasional burst of buttery shortbread.