Glenfarclas : 12 Year Old

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for the Glenfarclas 12 Years Old

Tasting

Colour
A vibrant colour with hues of amber gold and antique gold, reminiscent of the clarity of honey or precious stones, the result of natural maturation without any addition of caramel.

Nose
Fresh and delightfully light, it reveals sherry-marked fruit aromas, combined with spicy sweetness and notes of rich oak. Subtle touches of heather honey, pine resin and delicate floral nuances add complexity to this elegant bouquet.

Palate
Generous and full-bodied, the palate opens with a malty base wrapped in warm fruit and honey. The mid-palate evolves towards indulgent flavours of caramel, dates and toffee, enhanced by sweet spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg and black pepper. The texture is remarkably smooth and refined. The medium to long finish extends the pleasure with orange zest, warming spices and soft oak tannins.

Food Pairing Tips and Tasting Moments
This single malt pairs wonderfully with characterful meats such as roast venison served with caramelised root vegetables. It also enhances mature hard cheeses, such as an aged cheddar, a Comté or a Gruyère. To end a meal, it goes perfectly with pecan pie, spiced dark chocolate desserts or caramel confections.

Mixology
Although it stands beautifully on its own, this spirit lends itself remarkably well to classic cocktails. It shines in the "Godfather", mixed in equal parts with amaretto over a large ice cube. For a more summery approach, the "This & That" cocktail pairs it with peach liqueur, fresh lemon juice and ginger syrup.

Other Characteristics
This spirit is unpeated, although very subtle smoky traces can sometimes be detected on the palate, a subtle legacy of the production process. It is bottled at 43% ABV, without cold filtration, and retains its natural colour.

A Speyside Single Malt of Great Elegance, Intensely Marked by Sherry

Glenfarclas: Family Independence at the Heart of Speyside

Officially founded in 1836 by Robert Hay in the Speyside region, the Glenfarclas distillery stands as an exception in the world of Scotch Whisky. Acquired in 1865 by John Grant, it remains one of the few estates to have retained complete independence. Today, the sixth generation is at the helm, with John L. S. Grant serving as chairman, supported by his son George S. Grant. Glenfarclas's philosophy rests on a deliberate technological conservatism and an unwavering commitment to traditional methods. The distillery is notably distinguished by its exclusive use of direct-fire heating for its six copper stills and by particularly long fermentations. This unfailing dedication to craftsmanship guarantees the production of a spirit of remarkable consistency and quality, recognised worldwide.

The Traditional Craftsmanship of the 12 Years Old

The distillery's 12 Years Old is an essential gateway to discovering the iconic style of this Single Malt. This Whisky is crafted from carefully selected unpeated malted barley and pure spring water flowing down from the Brenners mountain. After precise milling and step-mashing, the wort undergoes an extended fermentation of 48 to 50 hours, promoting the development of a distinctly fruity profile.

Distillation takes place in imposing direct-fire heated stills, a rare technique that gives the distillate its rich body and characteristic caramelisation. However, the true identity of this 12 Years Old lies in its maturation process. Ageing takes place entirely and exclusively in European oak casks that previously held Oloroso sherry, rigorously sourced from a single family bodega in Spain.

The careful blending of first and second-fill casks achieves a perfect balance between the oxidative and fruity influence of the sherry and the distillate's original character. Bottled at 43%, without added colouring or cold filtration, this product was also crowned "Best Sherry Cask Matured Whisky" at the Single Malt World Cup in 2006, confirming its status of excellence on the international stage.