Old vs. New Glenfarclas 15?

[Sherried Malt]

I understand that the new version of the Glenfarclas 15 will (does?) use 100% sherry casks whereas the old 15 used 60% sherry and 40% bourbon casks.

Does anyone know when they switched over?

And has anyone tried them the new one yet?

Thanks.

[Virginia Gentleman]

I would love to read some tasting notes on Glenfarclas 15. My favorite store in Washington, DC tries to sell me this everytime I go in there. They tell me it is really good but I figured they just had a lot they wanted to sell.

[parvus]

I don't much care for my bottle of the 'farclas 15, it's just really quite boring.

A nose and palate of generic sherried whisky, a ho-hum christmas cake blandness with an annoying, astringent oaky prod in the finish. I've yet to try another expression from Glenfarclas, but I can only hope their other bottlings have more to them.

[corbuso]

The first new labelled Glenfarclas 15 YO I have seen was last November, but I was not aware the "new" one will be 100% sherry and the previous one 60% sherry. I thought the older version was more sherried than that.

Regards

Corbuso
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http://www.whisky-news.com

[Sherried Malt]

I would love to read some tasting notes on Glenfarclas 15. My favorite store in Washington, DC tries to sell me this everytime I go in there.

Really? I've been trying to find the 15 domestically and have only run into the 17 yo... Care to share the name of the shop?

Thanks!

[Sherried Malt]

A nose and palate of generic sherried whisky, a ho-hum christmas cake blandness with an annoying, astringent oaky prod in the finish.

I'm wondering whether Glenfarclas changed the vatting of sherry vs. bourbon casks, based on feedback such as this...

[hpulley]

Which new one are we talking about? There used to be a 43% 15yo. There has been a 'new' 46% 15yo for a while and now it sounds like there is another?

I really liked the first bottle of 15yo 46% I bought but the second was just OK.

Harry

[Sherried Malt]

The first new labelled Glenfarclas 15 YO I have seen was last November, but I was not aware the "new" one will be 100% sherry and the previous one 60% sherry. I thought the older version was more sherried than that.

I heard this from a whisky specialist in the UK, so I'm assuming it's accurate. But who knows? I guess we can always ask the distillery...

[bamber]

I don't much care for my bottle of the 'farclas 15, it's just really quite boring.

A nose and palate of generic sherried whisky, a ho-hum christmas cake blandness with an annoying, astringent oaky prod in the finish. I've yet to try another expression from Glenfarclas, but I can only hope their other bottlings have more to them.

Ive not tried the new 15yo but I think the old one is a great whisky. I think you will find a lot of fans of it here.

http://www.whiskymag.com/forum/viewtopi ... sc&start=0

or

http://www.whiskymag.com/forum/viewtopi ... 22f99289b2

Some people (Admiral included I believe) think it (the 15yo) is amongst the best Glenfarclas has to offer, so if you don't like it, the distillery profile may not be for you.

[Lawrence]

I like the 12 best until you reach the 30. However maybe it's time that I revisited the 15 and 21 to update my memory.

[Virginia Gentleman]

I would love to read some tasting notes on Glenfarclas 15. My favorite store in Washington, DC tries to sell me this everytime I go in there.

Really? I've been trying to find the 15 domestically and have only run into the 17 yo... Care to share the name of the shop?

Thanks!

Schneider's of Capitol Hill. I think they finally sold out of it though. It is no longer listed on there site.

http://www.cellar.com/home/default.asp

[Deactivated Member]

I wasn't aware of any change, but then I don't tend to keep up with Glenfarclas.
Anyway, I just looked into the Glenfarclas website and they are promoting their "New Packaging" and "New Marketing/Image".
The whole range is now re-packaged and the labels have line drawings of the distillery.

It does not speak about a change in the casks, but under the section describing how Glenfarclas is produced, they only speak of using Oloroso & Fino casks from Spain, with the Chairman personally selecting which casks are to be used.

WH

[Admiral]

I lift my hat to Bamber for remembering my personal favourites!

Yes indeed, I do believe the 15yo to be amongst the finest Glenfarcli.

Far be it from me to cast doubt upon the assertions of others , but I don't buy the line that the 15yo was previously a vatting of 60% sherry and 40% bourbon.

I've spoken personally with Ian McWilliam who has held numerous posts at Glenfarclas since he joined the team there many years ago. (I believe he's now the distillery manager?) From my discussions with him, I understand that bourbon casks are generally viewed with disdain at Glenfarclas. In fact, I formed the opinion that their entire cask inventory was essentially ex-sherry....at least for the bulk of their single malt bottlings. (I'm not sure about what goes off to the blenders).

I'm a busy chap these days with too much on (hence the reason I've all but disappeared from these pages in the last five months), but I'll endeavour to get to the bottom of this and provide you all with an answer.

Cheers,
Admiral

[bamber]

I lift my hat to Bamber for remembering my personal favourites!

Hi Admiral - I return your genial gesture. I bought a bottle on your recommendation some time back, which inspired me to explore this distillery in some detail and have over time tried the 105, 10, 12, 15, 21, 25 and 30. Also had some nice examples at the SMWS bar.

Good to see you back again.

[Admiral]

Stay tuned folks.....I've sourced an email I received a few months ago in which Glenfarclas's wood policy is revealed, but I need to check and run this by my source before pasting it here.

Cheers,
Admiral

[Sherried Malt]

Stay tuned folks.....I've sourced an email I received a few months ago in which Glenfarclas's wood policy is revealed, but I need to check and run this by my source before pasting it here.

Excellent. Can't wait to hear what you find out.

Thanks for taking the time here!

[Sherried Malt]

I bought a bottle on your recommendation some time back, which inspired me to explore this distillery in some detail and have over time tried the 105, 10, 12, 15, 21, 25 and 30. Also had some nice examples at the SMWS bar.

On a related note, has anyone tried the 35 yo from 1968? It's being offered by some stores here in the States... (Illinois)

Thanks!

[Admiral]

Hi guys,

Sorry for taking so long to respond. I had to follow up two sources, and I'm cautious about laying bare a distillery's wood policy when it's not really common knowledge.

I can't really paste the contents of private emails I've previously received, but I'll make the following general comments:

* The new releases have seen a shift in the sherry/bourbon ratio.
* I don't think you'll see Glenfarclas following Macallan's lead with their Fine Oak shamble. My own personal feeling is that Glenfarclas may one day become the champion of sherried whiskies. Maybe 20 years from now, Glenfarclas will be "the rolls royce of whiskies"! (Hell, it already is in my book!)

Cheers,
Admiral

[Sherried Malt]

The new releases have seen a shift in the sherry/bourbon ratio.

Are the new releases out? Do they have new labels, or more to the point, how can you tell the difference between the old and new releases?

Thanks again for looking into this!

[Photon]

The 21 was available at Park Avenue in NY. Very distinctive and easy to tell from the old 21.

-P.

[Admiral]

Yes, they're out in the market, and the labels are very noticeably difference. You can't miss them.

Cheers,
Admiral

[irishwhiskeychaser]

Anybody able to relate Glenfarclas to another whisky for me? Balvenie, Macallan HP etc.... Just thinking of trying one but would like to know what to expect..

Cheers Guys.

[Photon]

Anybody able to relate Glenfarclas to another whisky for me? Balvenie, Macallan HP etc.... Just thinking of trying one but would like to know what to expect..

Cheers Guys.

Umm... Aberlour? Both are very sherried. Beyond that

-P.

[Admiral]

As a house style, Glenfarclas varies from lightly sherried to richly sherried, depending on the expression.

Hence, Photon's comparison to some other known sherried whiskies isn't too bad a reference point. Think Aberlour, Mortlach, Dailuaine, and - naturally - Macallan.

Cheers,
Admiral

[hpulley]

The Glenfarclas 15yo at the LCBO right now is indeed a different packaging than the previous release, though both are 46% ABV. I don't know if the contents are changed as I haven't bought the new one (tube was empty at the store, hmm) and don't have any of the old one left to compare to anyhow.

Harry

[bamber]

Bought and tried the new 15yo in the last few days and it seems sweeter and more sherried than the old one (from memory).

Sorry to say that I prefer the older one. This ones flavour profile is far more in line with the 12yo IMO.

[lbacha]

I was at Whisky Live in Begium in Mar and Glenfarclas let us taste what they considered to be a new vatting for their 15 yr old, they didn't give up any other details than that but I will say it was much better than the old bottle IMHO I felt it was less flat and had a much more sherried flavor so the Sherry to Bourbon ratio may be true.

Len

[Sherried Malt]

Yes, they're out in the market, and the labels are very noticeably difference. You can't miss them.

Since I don't know much about Glenfarclas, can you tell me if this is the old or new bottling?

http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/products/prod275.htm

Thanks!

[jimidrammer]

Yes, they're out in the market, and the labels are very noticeably difference. You can't miss them.

Since I don't know much about Glenfarclas, can you tell me if this is the old or new bottling?

http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/products/prod275.htm

Thanks!

That is the new labeling, still not in the U.S. yet (we get the 17 instead). Not heard anything definitive about whether the contents are any different. I would like to try the 15 @ 46% abv, though, as the 17 seems a little rounded and tame, @ 43%, but still very good.

[Sherried Malt]

Thanks, Jimi!

Think I'm going to get the new label and see how it stacks up vs. the old one. Always interested in furthering the bounds of science...