PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Glenfarclas is one of Scotland’s few remaining independent, family-owned distilleries. It has been licensed since 1836, and has belonged to the Grant family since 1865, at the foot of Ben Rinnes in Ballindalloch, Speyside. It is famous for traditional methods, including direct-fired copper pot stills, a rarity in Scotch whisky today, and for maturing its whisky in sherry casks, principally ex-Oloroso from Jerez. The 17 Year Old is made from 100% malted barley, distilled twice, matured in those sherry casks, and bottled at 43% ABV with natural colour. Whisky Magazine named the company Distiller of the Year in 2006, 2020, and 2023.
The 17 sits comfortably between the brighter younger expressions and the richer older ones. The distillery’s own description is of a “complex nose, with distinctive butterscotch, sherried fruit and peat smoke aromas,” a whisky that is “big and full-flavored with excellent balance,” that “develops slowly, full of sherry-sweet malty tones and a touch of peat smoke,” and “finishes long and smooth, with a hint of spice.” Another description finds “buttery toffee, sherried peels and dates with a touch of cocoa” on the nose, with a palate that is “full and rich, with dried fruit, orange peel, spice and soft oak,” and a “long, warming finish with lingering sherry sweetness.”
Whisky Advocate’s Dave Broom wrote that it is “weighty and deep, instantly seductive: vanilla pod, rich fruits, the smell of fur coats. A femme fatale of a malt,” with “a base of crisp malt” that “mixes with oak to give balance and structure,” and “water brings out apple leaf, even a little grassiness.” He added that the palate is “broad and balanced, with real sweetness and a tongue-coating quality which softens to dried fruit, earthy density, with a whiff of smoke,” “redolent with the aroma of a dunnage warehouse. A class act.” Wine Enthusiast’s Kara Newman found “baking spice aromas” leading the nose, a palate that “opens with lemon peel and Granny Smith apple tartness,” and “mild nutty tones” with water, “finishing long with nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla.” Not every reviewer agrees on the value: some enthusiasts who prefer a richer, higher-strength dram wish it were bottled above 43% at its price, while others call it “the perfect dram for the price” and a go-to Scotch. It’s a classic, traditional, sherried Speyside malt, and a dependable gift for whisky drinkers who enjoy the style.
Glenfarclas 17 Year Old is produced at the Glenfarclas Distillery in Ballindalloch, Speyside, Scotland, licensed since 1836 and owned by the Grant family since 1865. It is made from 100% malted barley in direct-fired copper pot stills (two distillations), and matured for 17 years in sherry casks, principally ex-Oloroso from Jerez. Natural colour. Bottled at 43% ABV / 86 proof, 750ml.
Dave Broom, Whisky Advocate (Fall 2015):
“Weighty and deep. Instantly seductive: vanilla pod, rich fruits, the smell of fur coats. A femme fatale of a malt. A base of crisp malt mixes with oak to give balance and structure. Water brings out apple leaf, even a little grassiness. The palate is broad and balanced, with real sweetness and a tongue-coating quality which softens to dried fruit, earthy density, with a whiff of smoke. Redolent with the aroma of a dunnage warehouse. A class act.”
Kara Newman, Wine Enthusiast (December 2021):
“Baking spice aromas lead the nose. The palate opens with lemon peel and Granny Smith apple tartness. Adding water pulls out mild nutty tones, finishing long with nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla.”
Glenfarclas (official tasting notes):
“Complex nose, with distinctive butterscotch, sherried fruit and peat smoke aromas. Big and full-flavored with excellent balance. Develops slowly, full of sherry-sweet malty tones and a touch of peat smoke. Finishes long and smooth, with a hint of spice.”
Retailer tasting notes:
“Nose of buttery toffee, sherried peels and dates with a touch of cocoa; palate full and rich, with dried fruit, orange peel, spice and soft oak; long, warming finish with lingering sherry sweetness.”
Nose
Deep amber with mahogany hues. Butterscotch, sherried fruit, dates, and orange peel, with cocoa, baking spice, and a faint thread of smoke.
Palate
Full, rich, and sweet, with dried fruit, orange peel, spice, toffee, and soft oak, with sherry-sweet malt.
Finish
Long and warming, with lingering sherry sweetness, nutmeg, cinnamon, and a hint of smoke.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Style | Highland (Speyside) Single Malt Scotch Whisky — Sherry Cask Matured |
| ABV / Proof | 43% ABV / 86 Proof |
| Age | 17 Years |
| Maturation | Sherry casks, principally ex-Oloroso |
| Distillation | Direct-fired copper pot stills, 2 distillations; 100% malted barley |
| Colour | Natural |
| Distillery | Glenfarclas — Ballindalloch, Speyside, Scotland |
| Ownership | Independent, owned by the Grant family since 1865 |
| Critics | Whisky Advocate (Dave Broom) and Wine Enthusiast reviewed |
| Style / Identity | A classic, traditional, family-owned sherried Speyside malt |
| Aromas & Flavors | Butterscotch, sherried fruit, dates, orange peel, cocoa, baking spice |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
Enjoy neat, with a few drops of water to open the fruit and apple-leaf notes.
Bottle Size: All bottles are 750ML/700ML unless otherwise noted.
21 and Over: Adult Signature Required
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