Glenfarclas

Active

Speyside · Est. 1836 · J. & G. Grant (J. & G. Grant (independent, family-owned))

Expressions

With Tasting Notes

100%

Completeness

About

One of the last truly independent, family-owned distilleries in Scotland -- in the Grant family since 1865, now in its sixth generation under John Grant. Sits on the slopes of Ben Rinnes in the heart of Speyside. Famous for its exceptional sherry cask maturation (exclusively using Oloroso sherry casks) and the legendary Family Casks series -- single cask releases from every year back to 1952. The 105 cask strength expression is one of the most respected high-proof single malts. Uses the largest stills in Speyside.

Production Details

Owner

J. & G. Grant

Parent Company

J. & G. Grant (independent, family-owned)

Status

Active

Founded

1836

Still Type

Pot

Stills

Capacity

3.5M LPA

Water Source

Green Burn (from Ben Rinnes)

Website ↗

Core Range10

Glenfarclas 10 Year OldCore

1040% ABV$40-55

Oloroso sherry casks

4/4 Tasting

View tasting notes

Sight

Light gold with warm amber hue

Smell

Sherry sweetness, toffee, dried fruits, malt, gentle oak spice

Sip

Medium body, toffee and butterscotch, dried apricot, light nuttiness, clean direct-fire character emerging

Savor

Medium finish with butterscotch warmth and gentle sherry sweetness

View flavor map

Sweet Shop (Sugar — toffee, butterscotch), Garden Path (dried fruit — apricot), Bakery (Malt — cereal sweetness)

Glenfarclas 105 Cask StrengthCore

NAS60% ABV$55-75

Oloroso sherry casks

4/4 Tasting

View tasting notes

Sight

Rich amber-gold with warm copper tones

Smell

Intense malt, sherry, Christmas cake, walnut, orange peel, cinnamon, beeswax, concentrated honey

Sip

Powerful and full-bodied, intense Christmas cake, orange marmalade, walnut, dark chocolate, fierce warmth, waxy viscosity amplified by strength

Savor

Long and warming finish with spice, dried fruit, nutty warmth, and persistent waxy mouthfeel

View flavor map

Bakery (Sweet — Christmas cake, cinnamon), Greengrocer (Citrus — orange marmalade), Sweet Shop (Chocolate — dark chocolate, Sugar — honey)

Glenfarclas 12 Year OldCore

1243% ABV$45-65

Oloroso sherry casks

4/4 Tasting

View tasting notes

Sight

Warm amber-gold with copper highlights

Smell

Rich sherry, Seville orange marmalade, malt, walnuts, dried fruit, Christmas cake

Sip

Medium-full body, marmalade sweetness, walnut, beeswax, malty depth, waxy texture from direct fire

Savor

Medium-long finish with orange peel, nutty warmth, and waxy mouthfeel

View flavor map

Greengrocer (Citrus — Seville orange, marmalade), Sweet Shop (Sugar — beeswax), Bakery (Sweet — Christmas cake)

Glenfarclas 15 Year OldCore

1546% ABV$55-80

Oloroso sherry casks

4/4 Tasting

View tasting notes

Sight

Rich amber with deep copper-red tones

Smell

Rich dried fruits, dark chocolate, orange marmalade, walnut oil, leather, cigar box

Sip

Full body, dark chocolate, Seville orange, walnut, fig, waxy viscosity, marzipan, complex layering

Savor

Long finish with chocolate, orange peel, nutty warmth, and characteristic Glenfarclas waxiness

View flavor map

Sweet Shop (Chocolate — dark chocolate, marzipan), Greengrocer (Citrus — Seville orange), Furniture Maker (Leather — cigar box), Library (depth — walnut oil)

Glenfarclas 17 Year OldCore

1743% ABV$80-120

Oloroso sherry casks

4/4 Tasting

View tasting notes

Sight

Deep amber with mahogany edges

Smell

Rich sherry, dark fruit compote, bitter orange, walnut, polished wood, beeswax, rancio

Sip

Full body, stewed plums, dark chocolate, orange marmalade, waxy texture, toasted almonds, elegant oak integration

Savor

Long finish with dried fruit, bitter chocolate, and lingering warmth

View flavor map

Sweet Shop (Chocolate — bitter chocolate), Greengrocer (Citrus — bitter orange), Garden Path (dried fruit — plum compote), Furniture Maker (Wood — polished oak)

Glenfarclas 21 Year OldCore

2143% ABV$110-160

Oloroso sherry casks (predominantly first-fill)

4/4 Tasting

View tasting notes

Sight

Deep mahogany with rich copper-red depth

Smell

Concentrated sherry, Christmas pudding, fig, walnut, orange peel, old leather, candle wax, complex rancio

Sip

Full rich body, Christmas cake, dark treacle, bitter orange marmalade, walnut, prune, intensely waxy mouthfeel

Savor

Very long finish with treacle, dried fruit, nutty warmth, and waxy coating on the palate

View flavor map

Bakery (Sweet — Christmas pudding, treacle), Greengrocer (Citrus — orange marmalade), Library (depth — old leather, rancio), Sweet Shop (Sugar — fig, prune)

Glenfarclas 25 Year OldCore

2543% ABV$180-280

Oloroso sherry casks (first-fill dominant)

4/4 Tasting

View tasting notes

Sight

Deep mahogany-brown with dark copper edge

Smell

Intense dried fruit, dark treacle, walnut oil, Havana cigar, old books, Seville orange, rancio, polished mahogany

Sip

Full and viscous body, Christmas cake soaked in sherry, bitter chocolate, walnut, fig paste, dried apricot, extraordinary waxiness

Savor

Exceptionally long finish with layers of dried fruit, bitter orange, nutty warmth, and waxy persistence

View flavor map

Bakery (Sweet — Christmas cake), Tobacco Shop (Cigar — Havana), Library (depth — old books, rancio), Furniture Maker (Wood — polished mahogany)

Glenfarclas 30 Year OldCore

3043% ABV$350-500

Oloroso sherry casks (first-fill, long-aged)

4/4 Tasting

View tasting notes

Sight

Very deep mahogany-brown, almost opaque at edges

Smell

Profound dried fruit, dark chocolate, espresso, walnut, old library, sandalwood, incense, rancio, beeswax

Sip

Full viscous body, dark treacle, bitter chocolate, walnut praline, dried fig, prune, espresso, waxy and almost chewy texture

Savor

Extraordinarily long finish with waves of dried fruit, chocolate, espresso, nutty warmth, and waxy persistence

View flavor map

Sweet Shop (Chocolate — dark chocolate, espresso), Library (depth — old library, sandalwood), Tobacco Shop (Incense — sandalwood), Bakery (Sweet — treacle, fig)

Glenfarclas 40 Year OldCore

4046% ABV$1200-1800

Oloroso sherry casks (first-fill, exceptional selection)

4/4 Tasting

View tasting notes

Sight

Deep dark mahogany with near-black edges, viscous legs

Smell

Ancient library, dried roses, sandalwood, walnut oil, dark treacle, orange peel, profound rancio, polished antique wood

Sip

Full and luxuriously viscous, dark treacle, dried rose petals, walnut, bitter chocolate, orange marmalade, incredible depth and waxy persistence

Savor

Seemingly endless finish with waves of dried fruit, rose, walnut, chocolate, and the distinctive Glenfarclas waxy signature

View flavor map

Library (depth — ancient library, antique wood), Garden Path (dried flowers — rose petals), Sweet Shop (Chocolate — bitter chocolate), Furniture Maker (Wood — antique)

Glenfarclas 8 Year OldCore

840% ABV$35-50

Oloroso sherry casks (first-fill and refill)

4/4 Tasting

View tasting notes

Sight

Pale gold with light amber shimmer

Smell

Fresh malt, green apple, honey, light sherry nuttiness, hint of cereal

Sip

Light body with surprising nuttiness, green fruit, malty sweetness, clean spirit character

Savor

Short-medium finish with malt and gentle warmth, hint of hazelnut

View flavor map

Bakery (Malt — fresh cereal), Greengrocer (Orchard — green apple), Sweet Shop (Sugar — honey)

Limited / Special Releases18

Glenfarclas 105 12 Year Old Germany Exclusive

1260% ABV2023$90-130

Oloroso sherry casks (German market selection)

4/4 Tasting

View tasting notes

Sight

Deep amber-gold with rich copper tones

Smell

Intense malt, sherry, orange marmalade, walnut, dark chocolate, cinnamon, concentrated honey

Sip

Powerfully full at 60%, intense marmalade, dark chocolate, walnut, cinnamon warmth, waxy viscosity, fierce but rewarding

Savor

Long fierce finish with orange, chocolate, nutty warmth, and waxy persistence

View flavor map

Greengrocer (Citrus — orange marmalade), Sweet Shop (Chocolate — dark chocolate), Bakery (Sweet — cinnamon, honey)

Glenfarclas 105 16 Year Old Limited Edition

1660% ABV2023$120-180

Oloroso sherry casks (aged selection)

4/4 Tasting

View tasting notes

Sight

Deep amber with rich copper tones

Smell

Intense sherry, Christmas cake, walnut, bitter orange, dark chocolate, cinnamon, concentrated beeswax

Sip

Powerfully full-bodied at 60%, Christmas cake, dark chocolate, walnut, orange marmalade, intense waxy viscosity amplified

Savor

Very long finish with fierce warmth, dried fruit, chocolate, nutty persistence, waxy coating

View flavor map

Bakery (Sweet — Christmas cake, cinnamon), Sweet Shop (Chocolate — dark chocolate), Greengrocer (Citrus — bitter orange), Library (depth — concentrated)

Glenfarclas 17 Year Old 2026 Release

1746% ABV2026$90-130

Oloroso sherry casks (annual release)

4/4 Tasting

View tasting notes

Sight

Deep amber with mahogany tones

Smell

Rich sherry, dark fruit compote, walnut, bitter orange, polished wood, beeswax, developing rancio

Sip

Full body, dark fruit compote, bitter chocolate, orange marmalade, walnut, waxy texture, elegant oak integration

Savor

Long finish with dried fruit, bitter chocolate, nutty warmth, and lingering waxiness

View flavor map

Sweet Shop (Chocolate — bitter chocolate), Greengrocer (Citrus — bitter orange), Garden Path (dried fruit — compote), Furniture Maker (Wood — polished oak)

Glenfarclas 185th Anniversary

NAS46% ABV2021$120-180

Oloroso sherry casks (special selection)

4/4 Tasting

View tasting notes

Sight

Rich golden amber

Smell

Honey, malt, dried fruits, walnut, orange peel, vanilla, gentle sherry sweetness

Sip

Medium-full body, honey, orange marmalade, walnut, dried fruit, clean and balanced with waxy undertone

Savor

Medium-long finish with honey warmth, dried fruit, and gentle nuttiness

View flavor map

Sweet Shop (Sugar — honey), Greengrocer (Citrus — orange), Garden Path (dried fruit), Bakery (Malt — cereal)

Glenfarclas 20 Year Old Port Pipe Decanter

2051.5% ABV2022$250-400

Port pipes finish (2 years) after oloroso sherry

4/4 Tasting

View tasting notes

Sight

Deep ruby-mahogany with wine-influenced hue

Smell

Red berries, cherry, dark chocolate, walnut, port wine sweetness, dried roses, plum

Sip

Full body, cherry and red berry sweetness, dark chocolate, walnut, port wine influence, waxy texture with wine tannins

Savor

Long finish with red fruit, chocolate, port warmth, and waxy-tannic interplay

View flavor map

Greengrocer (Orchard — cherry, red berry), Sweet Shop (Chocolate — dark chocolate), Garden Path (dried flowers — roses), Pub/Bar (Wine — port)

Glenfarclas 24 Year Old Millennium Edition

2448% ABV2024$280-400

First-fill oloroso sherry butts, distilled 2000

4/4 Tasting

View tasting notes

Sight

Deep amber-mahogany with copper depth

Smell

Rich dried fruit, dark chocolate, walnut oil, orange marmalade, leather, old oak, developing rancio

Sip

Full and rich body, Christmas cake, bitter chocolate, walnut, Seville orange, fig, intensely waxy texture

Savor

Very long finish with dried fruit, chocolate, nutty warmth, and waxy persistence

View flavor map

Bakery (Sweet — Christmas cake), Sweet Shop (Chocolate — bitter chocolate), Greengrocer (Citrus — Seville orange), Furniture Maker (Leather — old oak)

Glenfarclas 25 Year Old Quarter Cask Decanter

2551.2% ABV2023$350-500

Oloroso sherry butts with quarter cask finish

4/4 Tasting

View tasting notes

Sight

Deep mahogany with rich copper-red tones

Smell

Intense sherry, Christmas pudding, walnut, orange peel, polished oak, dark treacle, concentrated rancio

Sip

Full viscous body, Christmas cake, dark chocolate, concentrated dried fruit, walnut, quarter cask adds spice and tannic grip to waxy base

Savor

Very long finish with spice, dried fruit, chocolate, and enhanced oak grip alongside waxy persistence

View flavor map

Bakery (Sweet — Christmas pudding), Sweet Shop (Chocolate — dark chocolate), Furniture Maker (Wood — polished oak, spice), Library (depth — rancio)

Glenfarclas 35 Year Old

3543% ABV2022$600-900

First-fill oloroso sherry butts (exceptionally aged)

4/4 Tasting

View tasting notes

Sight

Very deep mahogany with near-black edges

Smell

Ancient dried fruit, dark treacle, walnut, old leather, sandalwood, espresso, profound rancio, beeswax candle

Sip

Full and luxurious body, dark treacle, walnut praline, bitter chocolate, dried fig, espresso, remarkably waxy and almost chewy

Savor

Extraordinarily long finish with layers of dried fruit, espresso, nutty warmth, and waxy persistence

View flavor map

Library (depth — ancient leather, sandalwood), Sweet Shop (Chocolate — espresso, bitter chocolate), Bakery (Sweet — treacle, fig), Tobacco Shop (Incense — sandalwood)

Glenfarclas 50 Year Old

5041.6% ABV2023$8000-15000

Single oloroso sherry butt (half-century maturation)

4/4 Tasting

View tasting notes

Sight

Near-black mahogany, incredibly viscous and dark

Smell

Museum-piece rancio, ancient dried roses, sandalwood, beeswax, dark treacle, walnut oil, old library, incense

Sip

Profoundly rich yet impossibly delicate, ancient dried fruits, bitter chocolate, walnut, fig, treacle, waxy texture transcendent

Savor

Seemingly infinite finish, waves of dried fruit, rose, walnut, chocolate, sandalwood, and ethereal waxy persistence

View flavor map

Library (depth — museum piece, ancient), Garden Path (dried flowers — ancient roses), Tobacco Shop (Incense — sandalwood), Furniture Maker (Wood — centuries-old)

Glenfarclas 60 Year Old Cask 1672

6040.2% ABV2022$30000-50000

Single oloroso sherry butt #1672, distilled 1962

4/4 Tasting

View tasting notes

Sight

Impenetrably dark mahogany-black, extraordinary viscosity

Smell

Transcendent rancio, ancient roses, sandalwood temple, beeswax altar candles, dark treacle, walnut oil, century-old leather, incense smoke

Sip

Impossibly delicate despite concentration, ancient dried fruit, bitter chocolate, walnut, ethereal waxy texture, time made liquid

Savor

Near-infinite finish, each wave reveals new dried fruit, rose, walnut, sandalwood, and the most extraordinary waxy persistence

View flavor map

Library (depth — transcendent, time), Garden Path (dried flowers — ancient roses), Tobacco Shop (Incense — sandalwood temple), Furniture Maker (Wood — century-old)

Glenfarclas Cathay Pacific Exclusive

1546% ABV2022$200-300

Oloroso sherry casks (exclusive selection for Cathay Pacific First Class)

4/4 Tasting

View tasting notes

Sight

Rich amber with warm copper highlights

Smell

Elegant sherry, orange marmalade, walnut, dried apricot, vanilla, gentle oak spice, refined beeswax

Sip

Medium-full body, elegant and refined, orange marmalade, walnut, dried fruit, balanced oak, waxy but polished

Savor

Long refined finish with orange peel, nutty warmth, and polished waxy persistence

View flavor map

Greengrocer (Citrus — orange marmalade), Garden Path (dried fruit — apricot), Sweet Shop (Sugar — vanilla), Library (depth — refined elegance)

Glenfarclas Christmas Malt 2022

NAS46% ABV2022$80-120

Oloroso sherry casks (festive selection)

4/4 Tasting

View tasting notes

Sight

Warm amber-gold with copper shimmer

Smell

Christmas spices, gingerbread, orange peel, dried fruit, sherry sweetness, cinnamon, nutmeg

Sip

Medium-full body, gingerbread, orange marmalade, dried fruit, walnut, festive spice warmth, waxy undertone

Savor

Medium-long finish with festive spice, dried fruit, and gentle waxy warmth

View flavor map

Bakery (Sweet — gingerbread, festive spice), Greengrocer (Citrus — orange peel), Garden Path (dried fruit — festive), Sweet Shop (Sugar — cinnamon)

Glenfarclas Christmas Malt 2023

NAS46% ABV2023$85-125

Oloroso sherry casks (festive selection)

4/4 Tasting

View tasting notes

Sight

Rich golden amber with warm tones

Smell

Mince pies, dried cranberry, orange zest, cinnamon, walnut, sherry warmth, candied peel

Sip

Medium-full body, mince pie richness, cranberry, orange marmalade, walnut, festive spice, waxy mouthfeel

Savor

Medium-long finish with festive warmth, cranberry, orange, and nutty waxy persistence

View flavor map

Bakery (Sweet — mince pies), Greengrocer (Citrus — orange, Berry — cranberry), Sweet Shop (Sugar — candied peel)

Glenfarclas Christmas Malt 2024

NAS46% ABV2024$85-130

Oloroso sherry casks (festive selection)

4/4 Tasting

View tasting notes

Sight

Golden amber with warm copper hue

Smell

Plum pudding, cinnamon, clove, dried orange, walnut, sherry sweetness, ginger

Sip

Medium-full body, plum pudding, ginger warmth, orange marmalade, walnut, festive spice blend, waxy texture

Savor

Medium-long finish with plum warmth, ginger spice, and gentle waxy persistence

View flavor map

Bakery (Sweet — plum pudding, ginger), Greengrocer (Citrus — dried orange), Sweet Shop (Sugar — clove, cinnamon)

Glenfarclas Family Casks 1990

3351.2% ABV2023$800-1200

Single oloroso sherry butt #5119

4/4 Tasting

View tasting notes

Sight

Deep mahogany with dark ruby edge

Smell

Concentrated Christmas pudding, dark treacle, walnut, dried fig, old leather, museum quality rancio, beeswax

Sip

Intensely rich and viscous, Christmas cake, dark chocolate, walnut praline, fig paste, Seville orange, extraordinary waxy texture

Savor

Incredibly long finish with waves of dried fruit, bitter chocolate, walnut, and waxy persistence

View flavor map

Bakery (Sweet — Christmas pudding), Sweet Shop (Chocolate — dark chocolate), Library (depth — museum rancio), Furniture Maker (Leather — old library leather)

Glenfarclas Family Casks 2002

2156.8% ABV2023$350-500

Single oloroso sherry hogshead #3456

4/4 Tasting

View tasting notes

Sight

Rich amber with deep copper highlights

Smell

Rich sherry, orange marmalade, walnut, marzipan, dried apricot, beeswax, fresh oak

Sip

Full body at cask strength, marmalade, walnut, marzipan, dried fruit, waxy texture, powerful but balanced

Savor

Long finish with orange peel, nutty warmth, marzipan, and waxy persistence

View flavor map

Greengrocer (Citrus — orange marmalade), Sweet Shop (Sugar — marzipan), Garden Path (dried fruit — apricot), Library (depth — oak, beeswax)

Glenfarclas Heritage 60

NAS43% ABV2023$300-450

Vatting from 6 decades of sherry casks (1960s-2010s)

4/4 Tasting

View tasting notes

Sight

Deep amber-mahogany with layered depth

Smell

Layered complexity from 6 decades, dried fruit, walnut, orange marmalade, leather, rancio, beeswax, time itself

Sip

Full body, each sip reveals different decades — young fruit, middle complexity, old depth — walnut, marmalade, treacle, profoundly waxy

Savor

Very long finish with layered waves of dried fruit, chocolate, nutty warmth, and complex waxy persistence

View flavor map

Library (depth — 6 decades layered), Bakery (Sweet — treacle), Greengrocer (Citrus — marmalade), Sweet Shop (Chocolate — time-layered complexity)

Glenfarclas Private Reserve

NAS49% ABV2023$150-220

First-fill oloroso sherry casks (chairman's selection)

4/4 Tasting

View tasting notes

Sight

Rich amber with deep copper tones

Smell

Rich sherry, dark fruit, walnut, orange peel, dark chocolate, polished leather, beeswax

Sip

Full body, rich dried fruit, dark chocolate, walnut, orange marmalade, excellent waxy viscosity, chairman's pick quality

Savor

Long finish with dried fruit, chocolate, nutty warmth, and waxy persistence

View flavor map

Sweet Shop (Chocolate — dark chocolate), Greengrocer (Citrus — orange marmalade), Furniture Maker (Leather — polished), Library (depth — quality)