1991 Glenfarclas Sherry Butt

One bottle of 1991 Glenfarclas Sherry Butt, Family Cask Release I. A rich yet very smooth whisky bursting with flavours.

Since 1836 Glenfarclas has been in family ownership in Ballindalloch, Scotland. Now under the direction of John grant (5th generation) and his son George, the distillery relies on six traditional direct-fired copper stills and maturation in plain oak or Spanish sherry casks to produce the lustrous colour and flavour for which it has become noted.

As the current Managing Director, John Grant explains, "My late father, George S. Grant, predicted in the 1960s that we should perhaps lay down more casks for our own use - to be bottled as Glenfarclas Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky. The result is that today we have casks from every year since 1952. This selection of fine malts from so many consistent years is totally unique".

The 1991 Sherry Butt is a smooth amber colour. It is rich and delicious on the nose with essences of pears and toffee. This is a whisky that's appetising to say the least. It's rich in sherry but not in an overpowering way.

Lightly roasted chestnuts with a chocolate dipping sauce spring immediately to mind. The texture is rich with a slight oily covering, giving you a very smooth silky coating to your entire mouth. The finish is big and powerful, with a lot of fruit berries and some lovely burnt chocolate. Bottled 2007.