Our Rating System
82
Overall Score
92
Nose
85
Palate
70
Finish
February 9th, 2024
@ Home / Portland, OR
Mike Hopkins

Glenfarclas 17

Distillery

Glenfarclas

Type

Highland Scotch

Age

17 years

Strength

43%

Cask Type

-

Edition

-

Cask No.

-

Price

$151.95 / bottle

Tasting Notes

I could swear when I picked up this bottle it was less than a hundred dollars, but looking it up for this review I see that and half again. Definitely a good dram and I am fond of the 'five decades tour' my friends and I took there last year. It is exceptionally special, and the host and entire crew at the distillery were wonderful.
To this dram I think it is one of my favored whiskys to smell. There is great complexity in the nose, a big burst of flavor that quickly turns to a bitter, though not unpleasant, finish. It led me to taking small sips in quick succession to try and suss out the flavors.
All and all a very pleasant dram and well worth it at the $100/ 750 ml price. I'll have to take some time to rectify if it is in the $150/per category for me. (That's a lot of burritos)

Appearance

Color

Clarity

Clear
Hazy
Opaque

Legs

Slow
Medium
Fast

Nose

Flat cola is generally not a thing I associate as good, but I've never tried to reckon that as a smell. In this case I like it as the base scent, sweet but not fizzy. There is a very nice sweet raisin that has a touch of orange bitter at the end.

Cereal

-

Fruit

Orange
Raisin

Organic

-

Spice

-

Wood

-

Other

Cola

Palate

Sweet and smooth then transitioning to bitter. This drink opens up quickly and is big when it does.

Sweetness

Dry
Semi-Dry
Medium
Semi-Sweet
Sweet

Mouthfeel

Smooth
Medium
Harsh

Flavor

Light
Medium
Rich

Cereal

-

Fruit

Orange
Prune

Organic

-

Spice

Nutmeg

Wood

-

Other

Butterscotch

Finish

Dry spice and bitter orange rind for the finish and gently warming down the gullet.

Cereal

-

Fruit

Orange

Organic

-

Spice

Nutmeg

Wood

-

Other

-

Empty Glass

As expected, a lovely sweet cigar box. Delicious.