Glenfarclas 21 Review

Glenfarclas 21 is the older, smoother, more refined member of the Glenfarclas family. It’s sherried, it’s soft, and it’s the sort of bottle you buy when you want to treat yourself.

It also tests whether a very good ordinary bottle can be improved by adding nine more years.

Twenty-one years in sherry

Glenfarclas is a family-owned Speyside distillery at Ballindalloch. The Grant family has owned it since 1865. It’s known for sherry-matured whisky and direct-fired stills. The 21 is matured for at least 21 years, mainly in sherry casks, and bottled at 43%.

The Glenfarclas 12 and 15 are the natural comparisons, and the 25 and 30 are the older step-ups. The 21 sits in the middle of the older range, and is often described as the best balance of age and price.

What 21 years does

Long ageing in sherry casks can give very soft, rich whisky, with the wood and fruit well integrated. It can also push a whisky into a drying, oaky place. Glenfarclas is known for casks that hold up well to long ageing.

Trying it

I tried this neat on a special evening. I expected something rich and sherried, and I hoped it wouldn’t be too heavy. It’s rich, but elegant.

Nose: Dried fruit and nuts, with dark chocolate and orange. It smells deep and warm, like a Christmas cake that has been maturing for a few weeks.

Palate: Rich and smooth. Sherry, dark fruit and soft spice, all well integrated. It’s thick without being heavy, and the 21 years show in the softness. There’s no harsh edge. I could sip this all evening, and I’d be sad when the glass was empty.

Finish: Long, warm and soft. The dark fruit and the sherry linger beautifully. A drop of water kept it smooth.

The ladder

The 10 is the entry bottle at 40%. The 12 and 15 are at 43% and 46%. The 21 and 25 are older. The 105 is the cask strength. Trying the 12 or 15 first tells you whether you like the house style before you spend more on the 21.

Alternatives

Aberlour 16 is another sherried Speyside. The Macallan 18 Sherry Oak is a more expensive, famous equivalent. The Dalmore 15 and 18 are rich, orange-toned malts. Highland Park 18 is a balanced Orkney malt.

Value

A 70 cl bottle usually costs about £200 in the UK. It’s a lot, but for a 21-year-old sherried malt this good, I think it’s reasonable.

The 21 is priced as a premium older malt. Compared to other 21-year-old whiskies, it’s often seen as good value, because the family-owned distillery doesn’t charge as much for the brand. Prices vary by country.

Who it is for

It’s for sherry fans who want an older, smoother dram, and for people looking for a special-occasion bottle. If you’re on a budget, the 12 or 15 offers a lot of the same style for less.

A treat I’d repeat

This is the kind of whisky that makes an evening better. I poured a small glass, put my feet up, and I didn’t want it to end. It’s rich, warm and soft, and it has a feeling of quality that’s hard to describe.

Against the Glenfarclas 12

Compared with the 12, it’s smoother, deeper and more rounded. The 12 is a very good whisky. The 21 is a step up that you can taste, and it’s not subtle. If you like the 12, you’ll probably love the 21.

At £200 it’s an investment, and I’d say it’s worth it for a special occasion. I’d buy it again as a treat.

Last word

Glenfarclas 21 is a lovely, rich, deeply sherried whisky, and I’d happily drink it every evening if I could afford it. It’s smooth and warm, and the age shows in the softness.

At £200 it’s a treat. I’d say it’s worth saving for a special occasion, and it makes a great gift for someone who loves sherry. I’d buy it again, and I’d enjoy each glass.

One last thing. I’d say it’s a good bottle to save for a particular occasion, and then to enjoy slowly. A small glass, a quiet room and no hurry. That’s the setting it deserves, and it repays it generously.

Verdict

Yes, as a treat. I’d buy it again for a special occasion, and it’s a perfect gift for a sherry fan.