J&G Grant ‘From the Glenlivet District’ 8 yo vs Glenfarclas-Glenlivet 12 yo Pinerolo vs Glenfarclas 15 yo Averna
A few changes here at Whiskyrific. In a bid to streamline and simplify, tasting notes will be condensed to single paragraphs where the focus will be on the overall experience (because that what really matters) and eschew preset sections on nosing and tasting.
J&G Grant ‘From the Glenlivet District’ 8 yo Grant Bonding Co. Ltd 43% (Most likely Glenfarclas)
Glenfarclas has a backbone and it is apparent here. A thick but clear core of linseed oil and something vegetal cooked. Anyway it wears the sherry well, matching nicely with these dark jammy, leathery-dry, spice cabinet notes well. Great sherry by the way. Chocolatey notes, and evident oak lactones, and a whole tin of black tea leaves as well. Actually there’s a fair bit of dried leaves and resins. A bit of sandalwood too. Not too deep or complex but a selection of nicely maturing casks must have been chosen. Despite its age it remains vibrant on the tongue. Also I find it quite amazing that despite it’s era of distillation, there’s something in it that’s very recognisable in modern Glenfarclas. Kudos to the Grants.
Glenfarclas-Glenlivet 12 yo All Malt Unblended Grant Bonding Co Ltd Pinerolo 43%
Very similar, there’s this oily malty-vegetal core but the sherry influence is much deeper and the resulting flavours are more intense – deep purple jams and moist leather. Less sweet maybe and starting to move towards the dry aromatics of dried fruit and old oak. The spice too seems to be moving away from a sweet desert to deeper hues of nutmeg and clove. Quite some dried bark, earthy muddy notes and hints of camphor too. Freshly unwrapped dark chocolate blocks. But unlike the gentle 8, on the tongue the Glenfarclas here really stands out against the sherry: Bold, firm and somewhat fiery still despite those long years. Ginger cake and black pepper abound.
Glenfarclas 15 yo Averna 46%
This one is different. Deeply earthy and dank. Full of black mud, bitter black tea and piles of tobacco, dried bark and resins, medicinal herbs, more than an even spoon of pitch and even a drop or two of soy. There’s also something ripe and gamey in it. What sort of old musty sherry butts they must have emptied for this. Boggy oak, and the deepest purples paired with the most uncleaned warehouse down at Balindalloch. All buoyed by the powerful spirit that is Glenfarclas. Unfortunately on the palate all comes with heavy tannins and here it is a tad unruly.
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