Glenfarclas 15 years old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 20 cl 46%

Twenty centilitres is enough for four proper glasses. That is the amount where you can work out whether a whisky is for you without committing — and with a 15 year old that is a reasonable place to start.

The expert's description

Glenfarclas 15 Year Old is a Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in sherry casks and bottled at 46% in a 20 cl bottle.

The contents are the same as in the large release. The 46% is higher than in both the 10 and the 12 year old, and over fifteen years the sherry has had time to build a depth the younger releases do not reach. The small format makes no difference to the whisky — only to the quantity.

Glenfarclas carries age statements right up to forty years in its permanent range. That is unusual for a family-owned distillery, and it requires generations of restraint in selling off old casks. The 15 year old sits around the middle of that ladder.

Tasting notes

Nose

Complex sherry notes with a touch of understated smoke, cream caramel and a hint of dried fruits such as dates and figs.

Palate

Great body with elegant balance. Plenty of sweetness from the sherry casks, malty tones, roasted nuts and a light smoke. The 46% gives the whisky weight without making it sharp.

Finish

Long and lingering with lavish sweetness, light smoke and plenty of complexity.

Specifications

Name: Glenfarclas 15 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 20 cl 46%
Distillery: Glenfarclas
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 15 years
ABV: 46%
Size: 20 CL
Cask type: Sherry casks
EAN no.: 5018066160076

Flavour profile

Sherried · Nutty · Dried fruit · Lightly smoky · Full

Did you know?

Glenfarclas carries age statements right up to forty years in the permanent range. Very few family-owned distilleries can offer a continuous ladder from ten to forty years, because it requires several generations to have left the casks alone.

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Frequently asked questions about Glenfarclas 15 Year Old 20 cl

Are the contents the same as in the 70 cl bottle?

Yes. It is the same whisky at the same strength — only the quantity differs. 20 cl amounts to roughly four glasses of ordinary size.

Why buy a small bottle?

Because it lets you try a 15 year old without buying a full bottle. It is also a practical format for tastings where you want to compare several whiskies, or as a small gift.

Why does it say Highland when Glenfarclas sits in Speyside?

Because the label follows the older practice of counting Speyside as part of the Highland region. The distillery is at Ballindalloch in the middle of Speyside — only the naming varies from label to label.

What do the fifteen years do compared with the 12 year old?

The sherry gets time to build depth. Where the 12 is fresh and spiced, the 15 has developed cream caramel, dates and roasted nuts, and the texture is markedly fuller. The extra three percentage points contribute as well.

Is there smoke in it?

An understated smoke note that comes from the direct firing under the stills, not from peated malt. Glenfarclas uses unpeated barley. See the other Scottish styles in our Scotch Whisky selection.

Does an opened 20 cl bottle keep as long as a large one?

No, shorter. A small bottle has proportionally more air above the liquid once it is half empty, and the whisky flattens faster. Drink it within six months of opening if you want the freshest version.

Does it work as a gift?

Yes, particularly for someone who wants to try an older Glenfarclas without committing to a full bottle. The format is also easy to send and to wrap.