Glenfarclas : 105 Cask Strength

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for the Non-Vintage Glenfarclas 105 Cask Strength

Tasting

Colour
Deep golden colour, richly hued with subtle glints reminiscent of peat. Viscous in the glass, it shows thick legs and an oily texture reflecting its high concentration.

Nose
Complex and woody, it opens with aromas of apples, pears and a dark toffee sweetness. With a little oxygenation, it reveals a rich sherry backbone, notes of seasoned oak, raisins, cherries, figs, cinnamon and walnuts. Adding a drop of water makes it more fruity and malty.

Palate
The attack is dry, assertive and richly spiced. The texture is thick, oily and almost syrupy. It unfolds flavours of dried fruit (raisins, blackberries, dried apples), dark chocolate, roasted coffee, orange peel and various nuts (almond, hazelnut). The finish is long, warming and peppery, with a surprising roundness for its strength, leaving a trail of spice, honey and a very faint smoky note.

Pairings and Tasting Moments
This contemplative sipping spirit is ideal to enjoy after a meal or in the evening, particularly during the cooler seasons. It pairs beautifully with rich desserts such as a dark chocolate fondant, a spiced pudding, or a dried fruit tart. On the savoury side, it goes wonderfully with well-matured hard cheeses (aged cheddar, gouda) or a powerful blue cheese. It is recommended to taste it neat first, then add a small amount of water to explore its full aromatic depth and adjust the perception of alcoholic warmth.

Mixology
Although it is primarily intended for neat tasting, its aromatic power and high strength offer interesting potential for structured cocktails. It can be used with care in reimagined classics such as the Old Fashioned or the Rob Roy, where its notes of sherry, cocoa and nuts will interact with sweet vermouths or bitters. Particular attention should be paid to dilution to maintain balance.

Other Characteristics
This single malt is very lightly peated, typical of the region's style, with a very low phenol level bringing a subtle earthy nuance. It is bottled at its natural colour, with no added colouring.

A Powerful and Iconic Speyside Single Malt from Glenfarclas

Glenfarclas: Family Independence at the Heart of Speyside
Officially founded in 1836 by Robert Hay, the Glenfarclas distillery is located in Ballindalloch, at the heart of the Speyside region. Since its acquisition in 1865 by John Grant, it has distinguished itself in the world of Whisky produced on Scottish soil through a remarkable family continuity. Today, ownership and management remain in the hands of the family company J. & G. Grant. Glenfarclas continues traditional production methods that have become rare, notably the use of direct-fired stills, giving the distillate a dense and robust texture. With an annual capacity of around 3.5 million litres, the distillery relies on careful stewardship of its stocks and maturation predominantly in sherry casks. This conservative and independent approach allows it to offer a range of great depth, embodying the authenticity and terroir of this iconic region.

Glenfarclas 105 Cask Strength: The Pioneer of Cask-Strength Whiskies
Launched in 1968, the 105 Cask Strength is a historic bottling that established itself as the first Single Malt to be officially marketed at cask strength. Its name refers to the old British "105 proof" measurement scale, corresponding to its constant bottling strength of 60% ABV.

This Whisky is a non-vintage expression that embodies the quintessence of the distillery's style. Although the exact age is not officially disclosed, the blend generally draws on sherry and bourbon casks aged 8 to 10 years. This strategic choice allows the distillery to use aromatic profile and alcoholic strength as a true benchmark, ensuring remarkable consistency in taste.

Made from malted barley and distilled in the house's characteristic direct-fired stills, this heavy, rich distillate is built to withstand intense maturation. Ageing, strongly influenced by ex-Oloroso sherry casks from Jerez, gives it its rich and spicy signature. Renowned for its excellent value for money, this spirit plays a major educational role for enthusiasts wishing to discover the intensity of a cask-strength whisky without compromising on complexity.