Description

Glenfarclas 12 Year Old Cask Strength Batch No.5 Bottling Note

The Glenfarclas 12 Year Old Cask Strength Batch No. 5 Japan Exclusive is a single malt Scotch whisky bottled specifically for the Japanese market. It offers a unique opportunity to experience a young Glenfarclas expression bottled at cask strength, without the dilution or chill filtration that can sometimes alter a whisky’s character.

Matured for 12 years in traditional oak casks, the whisky is bottled straight from the cask after marrying (blending) different casks together. This process preserves the full flavor profile of the malt and the influence of the casks, resulting in a more robust and intense expression compared to the standard 12-year-old Glenfarclas bottlings.

Because it’s bottled at cask strength, which can vary slightly between batches, Batch No. 5 has an ABV of 59.6%, which is significantly higher than the standard bottling of 40% ABV. This can result in a more powerful and concentrated flavour profile.

Given its Japan-exclusive status and the limited nature of cask strength releases, finding a bottle of Glenfarclas 12 Year Old Cask Strength Batch No. 5 might be challenging outside of Japan. However, for those fortunate enough to get their hands on one, it presents a chance to experience the full potential of a young Glenfarclas matured in sherry casks.

Glenfarclas 12 Year Old Cask Strength Batch No.5 Tasting Note

Nose: Rich sherry influence dominates, offering raisin, dried fig, and prune alongside honeyed sweetness and hints of baking spices (cinnamon, nutmeg) with a touch of smoke for complexity.

Palate: Bold and warming arrival thanks to cask strength. Sherry notes continue with stewed plum and date flavors, balanced by honey and vanilla. Smoke translates into a peppery warmth on the tongue.

Finish: Long and lingering with fading dried fruit and oak spice. High ABV brings a touch of astringency, tempered by water. Subtle smoke lingers, providing a warming aftertaste.

Overall: This Glenfarclas 12 Year Old Cask Strength is a powerful dram showcasing sherry cask maturation. Unfined and unchillfiltered, it delivers a robust and complex profile. While the high ABV might require water, it offers warming intensity for cask strength enthusiasts. This Japan-exclusive bottling presents a unique chance to experience a young Glenfarclas in its most natural state, highlighting the distillery’s spirit matured in sherry casks.