ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 เม.ย. 2022
- I've got a single malt scotch whisky from the Glenfarclas distillery today. This is their famous 15 year old. I'll taste it and give you my thoughts. Cheers!
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Scores:
0-75 - Crap
75-79 - For cocktails & people you don't like
80-82 - Not bad
83-85 - Getting good here
86-89 - Delicious
90-94 - Awesome
95-100 - Cowabunga Dudes
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Thanks, Geoff. This is another on my list. Your review only encourages me to make sure I get to it one day. Well done! 👍
Solid, classic sherry and great bang for buck. Hope you get a chance to check it out. Cheers Victor! 🥃
So here we are, ten months on .. and I have a glass of Glenfarclas 15 here in front of me. And I'm having my first taste of it as I re-watch your video. (5 minutes later): I love it! It's tremendously complex, nowhere near as sweet as Glenallachie - but perfect for the mood I'm in tonight. I gave it a "90" - so pretty close to your score, Geoff. Next month, I have Mannochmore and Auchentoshan 18 on my shopping list. I'll be back!
Mr G ..great review as usual sir 👍!!
I 100% agree on this one , not one I reach for that often , but a solid whisky .
So recently I purchased a bottle of the 25 to see if there was another level and if it was worth it , it’s NOT !!IMO the 15 is better by a margin , this is the one to go for .
Keep em coming , all the best
Allan 👍
Hi Geoff. Great review as always. I was expecting this review from you as I mentioned this wonderful whisky in a previous review you made. I believe it is an absolute vfm. Btw I found some chocolate in my tasting notes. I agree that it does not take the love it deserves. I was a little worried when I bought it, because ralfy marked it very low (83 I think). Anyway I believe that anyone that loves whisky should taste it. I will definitely rebuy this one.
I'll have to look out for that chocolate tasting note. You're right, it's a shame it's not discussed more often. It's one of the better 15s on the market, especially considering the price. Cheers! 🥃
Hey Geoff, great review. I think this one lands in a good value for the price for 15 year olds category. I've had a couple of bottles of GF15 and although it won't blow you away but it also won't disappoint you. Good dram for sure.
My thoughts exactly. Cheers Rohit! 🥃
thanks for the review, really enjoyed it. I like many others get a soapiness/moisturising cream note on the nose, which I find challenging but it tells me immediately that this is a Glenfarclas and those who like the packaging like the soapiness!
I've never noticed a soapiness. I'll be on the lookout for that not when I meet my friends for a tasting this weekend. Cheers!
Sounds right up my street. Cheers Geoff.
I'm sure you'd love it. Cheers! 🥃
Another solid review man! Hard to come up with anything to add. I get marmalade on this one. The 15 is the sweet spot in the lineup for sure; there is usually a bottle of this in my stash. Doesn't hurt that it's a family-owned distillery making craft single malt the same way for several generations now. Huzzah!
I get a lot of orange peel. I'll have to check for any marmalade notes next time I dive in. Agree, always nice to support family-owned businesses. So few of them in the whisky industry. Cheers Lewis! 🥃
Got a bottle of this on the go at the moment. A great value dram and lovely stuff. There are those Christmas cake notes but they're balanced by some lighter, fresh fruit notes. Pretty accessible too - one I'd be happy to pour for a guest.
Agree, this one is an easy one to share. I don't know anyone who doesn't like it!
Really loved my bottle of Glenfarclas 15. It isn´t oversherried like some others are. Really enjoyed that part of GF 15!
Agree! 🥃
@@Gwhisky Opened another bottle... Your review is just on point! Cheers Goeff
This is great drop. I've been eyeballing the 185th anniversary bottle it has whisky from 6 different decades in it. Glenfarclas just make great whisky at value prices. Cheers mate
The 185 is crazy good. Highly recommended! 🥃
Bought this online two months ago from the UK as it's not available in the US, just had some this weekend, it's a super solid balanced sherried scotch, really nice stuff by far the best Glenfarclas I've had. I always get pastry notes with Glenfarclas and this is no outlier, kind of a light filo dough/croissant type thing with light malty red berries. Just really nice and balanced, a great bottle for sure.
Well said! I'll have to look for those pastry notes the next time I dive into this stuff. Cheers Todd! 🥃
The one that got me into whisky.
Fabulous review!!! Such good information. I especially love the Glendronach 15 inclusion. I visited Glenfarclas in 2019 as I was just learning about scotch and they said the one to get was the 15, so we did. I've gotten 2 more bottles since then from Germany and plan to get more. I'm glad to see it's not changed.
I left Scotland with both 15yrs and without a doubt I was way, love with Glendronach 15 but my 3rd bottle was a 2021 with the absence of non-chillfiltered on the tube and it was not as good I wondered if it was me but you and Ralfy have BOTH confirmed my palate.
In January I reached way back in the cabinet and found the last of my last Glenfarclas 15 and thoroughly enjoyed it. Brought back memories of the trip and all that! I'm sure to replace it and may even get one of the CS seasonal NAS releases. Have you seen any of those?
Excellent as always. Great review.
As I also have been far more interested in bourbon barrel expressions than sherry can you or have you reviewed the Aberlour A'bunadh Alba releases? I'm just working on the #3 and also have the #1&2 unopened (I know#1 is great)
What do you think about the Alba? There's a review to do....
I'm jealous you got a chance to check out the distillery. Funny, although not surprising, that the people there recommended this one as a go-to! I haven't tried any of the NAS seasonal releases you mentioned. I'm not sure they're sold here in Taiwan.
Speaking of not being sold in Taiwan, I've never come across a bottle of the Alba here. I'm more into bourbon stuff these days myself, so it sounds like a really cool one to try. I'm not sure if we'll ever get it here, but if I see it, I'll definitely buy it and review it. Cheers Cecil! 🥃
@@Gwhisky I got those first 3 and then got the#4 in at our store and I figured I'd better start trying rather than buying and just to the shoulders of the bottle and just this creamy delicious pear, peaches nose oh my, this isn't even the#1 or#2! I hope you can get the Aberlour A'bunadh Alba as a "bourbon Bomb" it's great. There's some vanilla and malty complexity in there. I'm sure it's not fully expressing itself yet.
Hi Geoff, in general Glenfarclas bottlings are good value. Saying that I’ve had some not so good expressions but the 15 is a great (the 12 is also decent)value whisky and I really like it . I actually like the bottle and presentation. Apart from that I agree with you 100%. Slàinte Geoff, awesome review.
I've had quite a few lesser GF expressions myself. That's why I stressed that this is the standout from the range. Feels like the sherry casks are much more active in the 15 than in much of the rest of the range. The 46% doesn't hurt, either. Cheers David! 🥃
Great review (and channel) , I think you are on point here. Just got a bottle down here in Australia (bottled 10/7/21). This is no sherry monster, I think that is where peoples expectations may be wrongly placed on the 15 yr old. The 15 is a little more subtle, sherried yes, but also allowing some spirit notes to shine rather than being drowned in sherry. I do love a good sherry bomb, but IMO that is not the intention of this bottling. 👊
Agree! I like that this is slightly calmer. Not everything has to be a cask strength bomb. Cheers!
One interesting thing that makes this distillery quite unique is that they continue to use gas fired stills instead of steam heated ones. I might be wrong but I think only Springbank uses gas to heat their stills as well.
Very cool! 🥃
Tried it yesterday and was pleasantly surprised. This is light years better than the 12, the age really makes a difference (probably better barrels too). Alcohol is so much better integrated than on the 12 despite the higher ABV. This is also much better than the 105 I got as a gift... Yes, the 105 flavours are way more in your face, but the 15 flavors are way more refined. It was just my first time with the bottle, still lots to discover about this whisky, but first impression was excellent.
Got a bottle of this not long ago and loving it. The 25 was the most drinkable scotch I’ve ever had but was lacking punch at just 43%. Glad to see this one at least is 46 and still a very fair price. Completely agree that it’s a classic and as good as ever... Glendronach on the other hand is going backwards by now chill filtering their whiskies (have not been a fan of any that I’ve tried from them in the past few years including their famous 18YO)
I'm liking GDs newer stuff less, too. At least our Glenfarclas has stayed consistent! Cheers! 🥃
Indeed, out of the 21, 25 and the 15, the 15 is in par with the 25 and higher abv and (much) lower price, the overall winner. Very good whisky, and one of the best 15 year old sherried whiskies out there.
Yes, you’re correct, I can not find GF15 in America. But GF12 is a close second, having all of the features you mention in the 15. I bought some a few weeks ago but it didn’t last here very long. It was so enjoyable to drink that it was finished in no time. What an excellent value in a decent whisky. Very malty.
It's been a long time since I had a bottle. I should grab one soon! Cheers! 🥃
Old school is the correct term, chill filtered for sure, why I don’t know, but one thing for sure John Grant isn’t interested in your view G, or mine or anyone else’s.
The Glenfarclas 15 is a solid old school sherried whisky and reasonably priced too so it's hard to find much fault with it despite it being a humungously high volume product. That said, there are so many other interesting alternatives like the Glenallachie 15 or the Tamdhu batch strength.
Lots of alternatives in the category, true. But for quality and value I think this one still stands tall. 🥃
Not available in the US but easily ordered online (if allowed in your state) and it is not expensive. In my state the 12 yo just came out for $39.99. Very good.
I should revisit the 12 at some point. It's been years. 🥃
This is a highlight malt in the Glenfarclas "core" range even though it may not be available everywhere. Glenfarclas has skyrocketed in price in Canada recently (in some cases 60% or more) so when this went on sale for 45 euro equivalent I picked up another bottle. Probably should have picked up 3 or 4 but I get a lot of canine odors on the nose of most whiskies these days because I've been living in the whisky "dog house" for months. Great review.
Hah. Yeah €45 for this bottle is a solid deal. Is the 15 available in Canada?
@@Gwhisky Yes it is available here. I've seen it on the shelves at most specialist shops and chain stores. But it is usually 60 euro or more (equivalent).
I mean it's classic and cheap! On top of it as unassuming as it gets. The quality is usually really, really solid. Good old whisky. Even the 25 year old is affordable.
I managed to find the 25 on offer a year ago for 107 EUR. Best value buy I ever made.
Well said! Classic, solid, delicious! 🥃
Another top quality video. You’re right . It’s not available in the states. I’ve rarely seen but they’re out there somewhere the 17.
The 15 is one that from the beginning of my “hobby” I had my eye on. Years later and I still have never had it. I’ve ended up choosing other sherried scotches over it when purchasing online from overseas like Edradour bottlings. Especially since I have read similar comments where they basically say it’s not what it used to be. Still I’ll buy one eventually. I have only had one offering of Glenfarclas and I really enjoyed it, The 12.
Which would you choose as a better sherried scotch between Glenfarclas 15, Mortlach 16, and Benrinnes 15? And why.
Thanks again Geoff.
Oh I should add. I had a chance to buy a heavily discounted 25 yr old at $130. Nobody was excited about that one yet today it’s around 200 plus and no I’m not buying it. People said it was good but it didn’t come across as a malt of that age and was ok at the price (back then).
Yeah I guess your only option would be to order it in from abroad. If you enjoyed the 12 you're sure to like this one. It's got the Glenfarclas DNA but it's much more sherried and has less heat than the 12.
Between the three you listed, I might stick with this one. Mortlach is trying to be a premium big boy. It's delicious stuff, but in my market it's overpriced, whereas this is still very reasonably priced. Benrinnes is absolutely delicious, and I do recommend that one too. If it was 46% then it would be a tough choice. But yeah... GF15 wins.
I've never tried the 25, so I don't know how that one sizes up to the others from the line. I've heard from a few people that it's somewhat underwhelming. Again, it's 43%, which is disappointing.
Cheers Salty. Always nice to hear from you, buddy!
@@Gwhisky I’m surprised to hear the Farclas 15. Maybe I will get it soon. One last comparison. Tamdhu 15 or Farclas 15.
I’ve taken a bit of a break these past few months from buying. Maybe the prices are finally getting to me. So anyhow, I’m being a lot more picky in what I buy this year. Oh I bought online Glen Elgin 12 and Glenturret 12. I think I mentioned it to you. I have so many bottles that I just haven’t gotten to and I don’t like having more than several bottles open at a time. But I want to make at least one more purchase before the holidays (Dec).
There is an Arran 14 and an older bottling of the 18 locally. Maybe get one of those over the Glenfarclas 15?
@@SaltyCuban Yeah prices have gone up a lot this year, at least in my market. Between Tamdhu 15 and GF15? I think most ppl would say Tamdhu. Tamdhu is excellent, but honestly I reach for GF15 more. Quality is good with both and GF15 is much cheaper.
I might take those Arrans over the GF15, depending on mood. The 18 for sure. 🥃
This is the best of the core range that I have had. Unfortunately it is not available in the US. Bought one as part of a UK online order but doing that makes it to expensive for what it is. Cheers
Shipping costs are a pain in the ass. At least you got a chance to try it. Glad you enjoyed it. 🥃
For some reason down here in New Zealand we get the 105 l litre on special for about $85 at whiskey and more its my go to GF an absolute bargain, 60% abv a must have.
I'll have to try the 105 again. It's been years.
I have the 12 and 25, and the 15 is on my list, for sure. For the quality we're getting for the money, I think Glenfarclas is a solid bet in any case. The 12 I have needed some air to smooth out and open up a bit, but the 25 is among the best whiskies I've ever had.
I never really warmed up to the 12. That being said, it's been years since I tried it. I'll need to revisit it at some point. 🥃
@@Gwhisky There are many better sherried 12s out there, but I got my 1L bottle for 30 EUR. And for that, I can hardly complain.
This one and the 105 have been on my buying list for quite a while and I still haven't bought any of them.
Guess I'll have to rectify this. In Bulgraia the prices of Glenfarclas went up recently and the 15 yo now costs 49-50 euros which is still OK for a 15 yo 46% ABV single malt whisky.
As for a next review I'd like to hear your thoughts about Glen Moray 18 yo.
Cheers!
Yeah I'd say it's worth that price. Delicious stuff. Classic quality sherry. I'll be on the lookout for the Moray. Can't say I've seen it around recently. 🥃
Great video! Now I know what to go for if I started to explore Glenfarclas. As my research, it seems that relatively, the 15yo has perceivable influence of peat among the core range. How do you feel?
I don't get any peat flavour in this. But there's an old school dirty sherry vibe. It's not "clean" or "modern" like a lot of its competitors. 🥃
Noted. Will try it!
Hey thanks for another great whisky review. For me both of them have better competitors in their price range, Bunnahabhain 12 better than Glenfarclas 15 and Tamdhu 15 better than Glendronach 15. Slàinte!
There are other great whiskies out there, too. Doesn't detract from this one. Cheers! 🥃
Do you hav ea spreadsheet of all your tasting notes or scores of all he whiskey you tired?
as per your #2 special edition whisky of the year, I looked for your 185 video, but only found the 15.
Both the Laphroaig 16 and the Glenfaclas 185 have yet to be reviewed.
@@Gwhisky oh cool, lookn 4ward to the 185
You check-boxed "none chill-filtered" and then you said it was there was no mention of chill filtration. Did you find out that it is not from a reliable source? In my opinion, the Glenfarclas 105 is much better but I am aware of the batch differences on both the 15-year and the 105. I am on my third 105 and only first 15-year. Thanks for another good review
I seem to remember hearing it from one of their reps at a whisky show a few years back. Not 100% sure, though. There are some unofficial websites claiming it isn't. Probably should have given it a question mark. 🥃
I bought this earlier this year on the last legs of winter. Cork broke as I opened it for the first time. It was OK for me I guess I’m not a sherry guy at the moment.
Fair enough! As I said in the review, this has been pretty consistent for me personally, although there are people out there who say there are lesser bottlings of it. It's possible you're one of the unfortunate ones. Or maybe it's just not your cup of tea! 🥃
Is there an alternative Glenfarclas you would recommend? I can't get the 15 here in the US.
The 15 is the best imo. My second favourite is the 105, although it's pretty different.
I don't see this coming up on any searches in my area. Is the 15 only available in certain countries excluding the US?
Most countries outside the US, I believe. Not sure. Definitely Europe, Asia, and Canada have it.
Good review overall, but I don't understand why folk even bother talking about the packaging? It's what's inside that counts most.
The presentation segment is not essential, no. I agree it's what's inside that counts. The "Presentation" bit is a separate and much shorter segment of the video. It also includes what information is mentioned on the label (casks, specs, etc.), though, which is relevant and speaks to the transparency of the brand. 🥃
How do you think this compares with Tamdhu 15?
I've got a video about sherried 15 year olds on the horizon. Stay tuned! 🥃
How’s the glenfarclas 105 cask strength?
Been a while. I'll have to pick up a bottle and let you know at some point! 🥃
Interestingly, you didn't mention at all the mild, but easily detectable, smokiness in GF15.
I'll have to look out for that note! 🥃
I'm a bit embarrassed to say that while I own a bottle of Glenfarclas 25, I've never tried the brand. I know I sound like a broken record, but I don't see it much where I live, with the 12yo @40% being the bottle I usually see if it's on the shelf.
It's actually not my favourite brand, but they do have some excellent whiskies out there. Shame this one isn't available in the States. The 25 is one of the few core range expressions that I haven't tried though. Hope it's a good one! 🥃
@@Gwhisky A bit of trivia: Another TH-camr recently reviewed a "Mystery Malt" Lismore 18, and through some detective work, uncovered that it originates from the Glenfarclas Distillery.
I watched an interview with one of the Grant family and he said none of the whiskies are chill filtered
Great to know. Thanks! 🥃
There is still defiantly value for money from this one, which can’t be said for many of modern Glenfarclas bottles imo
Agree! 🥃
Maybe you should test the same whisky with and without chill filtering? Everybody is saying that chill filtering isnt good but nobody made a test. Sorry for my English. :)
Do you know any whisky that's available in both chill filtered and non-chill filtered versions? I'd love to try that! 🥃
@@Gwhisky Maybe you should search for Glendronach 12. I'm not saying that you will find them next to each other in the store but maybe somebody has an Old version. Everyone says cold filtering is bad, but can't prove it. So it's just a theory. Why talk about it then?
@@skarpy24 Its a great idea! If I can find a bottle of each I'd love to make a video about that. I have old GD12s from Billy Walker, but those won't be comparable to the ones by Rachel Barrie. If I can find a Rachel's 12 year olds, one chill filtered and non-chill filtered, I'll definitely make a video about them! 🥃
@@Gwhisky I think Aberlour do a NCF version of one of their core range age statemented whiskies although it's hard to find and ABV may be different.
@@sambrewster8556 I don't know if the cask composition is the sane, but yes, they do have a chill filtered and non-chill filtered version available. It's an 8% difference in abv.
I have the 12. It’s ok. Too metallic. Clearly low quality casks. But it does its job, it was cheap as it gets and a 1 liter bottle. Having said that the 12 didn’t really get me hyped to try the 15, 17 and so on. Maybe one day.
Yeah I never really took to the 12 myself. It's been ages, though. Metallic is precisely how I remember it. 🥃
@@Gwhisky it’s a good whisky to sip while hanging out with friends, when you’re not paying to much attention to the dram itself. Did that yesterday, felt right.
Bought the 105 and really looked forward to try it, but puuuh, totally ethanol'y/foreshot'y, I can't recommend thát one, I will give mine away to someone who don't care....
So I'm a bit weary of spending more $ on Glenfarclas, sure, the 105 is their cheap NAS, but, if they doesn't deliver thére, why should they deliver in other cases....;- /
- I mean, I LOVE the Arran "Bodega" NAS, it is cheap and it is cask strength, and it taste heavenly, sure I'll try the more expensive Arran's some day....!!!
Plenty of distilleries have both hit and miss bottles. But as a consumer, I understand not wanting to be burned twice. 🥃
I wonder how Glenfarclas 15 stacks up against Macallan 12?
The Double Cask? I'd say this one's better, but the Mac would be better if it was 46%.
@@Gwhisky No, I was referring to the Sherry Oak version which O think is around the same price as the Glenfarclas 15? About $70? A similar pedigree I think?
@@MrChristopherMolloy I love the Sherry Oak. I don't buy it anymore though. It's USD $30 more than this in my market. Comes in at 40% here. I've had it before and loved it, but it's been years and I won't pay the prices they're asking now.
@@Gwhisky Obviously I don't blame you for paying those prices for a minimum strength whisky. That being said, the version we get here is still very good, even if I don't buy it any longer.
@@Gwhisky Just check a local shop today, Macallan 12 Sherry Oak is now $150! 😱
Elections have consequences!
so funny you post this today. tried the 25 in a heavy hitting blind this weekend and really really didnt like it (2 others liked it, 1 person was in my camp). I was getting some wet hay/dusty grass/baby vomit notes and found it to be a real turn off. Is the 15 giving off any of those notes?
I get nothing but classic sherry flavours from this. Although I have had some GF stuff with some off-putting notes that may be similar. You should be safe with this one, though. 🥃
@@Gwhisky Cheers!
how sweet is it? 🤔🤔
Not very for something so sherried.
would you choose it over ancnoc/tomatin 18?
i wanna try an 18 sherry but i think they might not be as sherried as i love ( like bunnahabhain 12)
so im thinking buying the farclas 15 instead@@Gwhisky
Sorry but this isn't easy to find in my market. The 105 is a nice consolation prize.
105 is great value!
I bought a glenfarclas 25 and was really disappointing. I would probably not bother with another bottle from this distillery.
I'll admit it's actually not a favourite brand of mine. I do love this one, though. Sorry to hear you didn't like the 25. That's one I haven't tried. 🥃
@@Gwhisky It was lacking in the finish. I bought it for £105 and the price increased to £215. I can't believe that can be justified based on the quality.
Tried several Glenfaclas products. People have said the 15 yr was a great product. I did not like the dry sherry profile personally. Not in my wheel house at all... The Glenfarclas products are a pass for me
While I'll agree that a lot of GF products are a pass, I'm a big fan of this one. Matter of taste! 🥃
Sorry full of air.
Apology accepted.