whisky review 606 - Glenfarclas 12yo @ 43%vol
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- Опубліковано 2 лют 2025
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When I pick up a new bottle to enjoy, I always know straight where to go when I crack her open. You have taught me so much about tasting Scotch whiskey and you have single handedly made every bottle more enjoyable. I thank you warmly from the middle of America, and I hope God blesses you and Yours.
An absolutely fantastic video on Glenfarclas. Someone recommended me Glenfarclas 12 about four years ago and it is hitting so many notes you've described. Knowing the history and information you've provided adds to the appreciation of a great scotch whisky.
Tried this at a fine restaurant recently simply because I had never had it before. It went straight to the top of my favorites list! Awesome review. Thanks.
What does it taste like?
Wonderful dram, I opened mine one litre bottle two weeks ago and I'm still enjoying every drop of it. First sherry scotch that has hit the mark for me, I've never been fan of sherry scotch whisky. A find it a lot better than it's 18yo brother witch is twice more expensive. In that particular Glenfarclas 18yo there was also some sulphur present.
And the price of this 12yo in Travel Free shop is just so cheap... Best bang for the buck
Every time I watch one of your vids I learn something... This time, I recently tasted some Glenfarclas 15, some Glendronach 12, and some Mortlach Rare Old... I made the observation that the Glenfarclas and the Glendronach were of a really pleasing high quality, and something was missing from the Mortlach. It all came together when you explained how direct firing the stills yields a richer tasting spirit, and I had that *Aha!* moment... Thanks again, Ralfy!
Thank you for adding the extra bits of information in your videos, Ralfy.
I bought a bottle after I watched this review and hearing Ralfy mention it a few times. I am really enjoying it.
it's a great drink, really.
Such an extensive, informative and fun review. Lots of respect man. I loved the history lesson especially
. . . happy to help with the malt-moments !
I have a bottle of Glenfarclas 15 year old that i'm planning on opening Christmas day. looking forward to finally trying it it's a bottle I've had in my cabinet for ages and never bothered opening it.
I believe it says natural color on the bottle. Just bought one. Looking forward to trying it 🎉
Ralfy, I just bought a bottle of Glenfarclas 12 43%. What's curious is that it's absolutely the same visually, bottle, tube and label, EXCEPT the bottle is now dark brown glass and the back label says "natural color". Some distilleries do eventually listen.
Ralfy my friend...I've just done my tasting notes for this whisky. As usual...if you've reviewed it...I'll watch and listen to your views on whatever I've just had my take on. Thank you! Just, thank you. Your reviews still impress me so much. We won't always agree but, on this one, we do. You are truly the benchmark by which I base my love of this beautiful (mostly), brown liquid.
Cheers.
These reviews are the most comprehensive I have seen so far.
This was the first thing I bought when I became old enough to buy alcohol a year ago. It was because of all the kind words you had said about them in an older video. It was a great purchase
Hey Ralfy - Thank you for your reviews.
I always learn something from your vlogs. I love the phrase, "winter warmer."
Dane, Yorba Linda, CA
Thank you Ralfy to getting around to this! it's probably my favorite! Certainly don't agree with your score though!
I have been enjoying Glenfiddich 12 and Arran 10 for several weeks now and one of the interesting things I notice is this “cooked” peach note from Glenfiddich, whereas Arran’s got more of a fresh calamansi-orange juice. My guess is that’s probably coming from direct-firing the still you mentioned here. Thank you always for guiding me through all these mellifluous malt moments!
Just tasting this for the first time. My preference for a while was Glendronach, but lately I don't think it's what it used to be. This is the closest thing to what I remember Glendronach being, and I think it will be my go-to Sherry casked malt. And less expensive always helps. Thanks for the background on these distilleries.
Hey Ralf, you mention that Glenfarclas and Abelour work better as sherry matured whiskies then bourbon. What whiskies would you say work better as bourbon matured then sherry?
My two favorite distilleries in Scotland are Auchentoshan and Glenfarclas. I would not of discovered them, if not for Ralfy's vlogs. Thank you Ralfy.
. . . happy to help with the malt moments !
I know they are not the most sophisticated drams but I enjoy them more than some of the more better known. They are also much more affordable than most malts. By the way, I really like young Auchentoshan, maybe they will put an age statement on it so you can review it.
Ralfy has done the same for me only it was Old Pulteney. The 12yo is dirt cheap, even here in Canada, and I love it.
Tried it for the first time not long ago and was immediately hit with a sense of familiarity when nosing, but for the life of me just couldn't pin point what the smell resembled. Finally had a break through, it's kaki-no-tane, a Japanese snack (often served in bars) that's made from rice and shaped into the size of a persimmon seed. Been eating that since I was a kid.
His knowledge on the stills...Love Ya' Ralfy!
I've been looking forward to a review of this for a while. Thanks Rally!
This is one of my favorites. This is a great bottle. Just had my first dram tonight.
Thanks for sharing the malt moments!
Top notch content, thanks for the knowledge Ralfy.
had a glen avon 1958 that would come from glenfarclas. Love your vlogs Ralfy.
I bought one of these a couple weeks ago in the US for about $60 while I generally prefer a more PD whiskey I find this one to be quite flavorful and light
Anybody got recommendations for the "Sherry under 50 bucks league" ?
I'll be stocking up and probably get myself the Glendronach 12, Aberlour 12 NCF and GF 15. Anything I should try?
ha ha, that final review comment much more like mine- concentrated look then tasting notes "mmm lovely"!
Couldn't agree more on the Glenfarclas 12. In terms of taste and value, very, very hard to beat.
Hey Ralphy! I remember you tasted the Teerenpeli whiskey from Finland a few years ago. I recall you liked it quite a bit! Could you possibly taste the new Teerenpeli 10yo? :)
My wife bought me a bottle of this back from America recently and only paid $30 in Orlando airport. Wasn't 100% sure about this one at first but it definitely improved as I worked my way down the bottle. One thing - did anyone else struggle with th evolume on this review? Came through very quietly on my PC...
Got it for the price meaning to use it as a "tongue warmer" before pouring something I consider better. It's still meant for that but I have to admit, the more I try this the more I like it. It's just a good enjoyable dram, you just need to get over the alcohol aggressiveness (let it rest for a while).
Wonderful thing flowing against the current is a dram of old Pultney!
Ralfy, are there actual variant levels of chill-filtration? I automatically assume that the process is quite one-sided, with no chance of different levels.
Wikipedia says "Factors affecting the chill filtering process include the temperature, number of filters used, and speed at which the whiskey is passed through the filters. The slower the process and the more filters used, the more impurities will be collected, but at increasing cost." Take that for what it's worth.
Hee Ralfy,
Ever thought about reviewing the Jura 10yo "origin"?
I heard mixed opinions and I'm eager to hear yours!
very very accurate description.. always trust ralfy !
Got this one on a whim ( the 105 wasn't available) but somehow wanted to pass. Glad I saw this review. As informative as it gets. Cheers.
I've had both, and 105 has a very significant alcoholic bite to it. It has a lot of character and taste but the proof makes it a bit rough if you don't regularly try cask strength whiskeys. Diluting it with water helps but I prefer the full cask strength bite. The 105 is the 12 yr old but richer and more aggressive. Hope that helps. Just my personal experience with it.
Just tasting the 12yr Glenfarclas. Like your notes about the company. Not sure I have the menthol - but the licorice hint, probably. Must go back to the Aberlouer :)
Almost finished a bottle of this 12 year old and only now discovered it states 'natural colour' on the back of the label. So there we go, good to know😁
Ralfy, could you please tell what aspects of Glenfarclas 17 y/o you don't like? As far as I remember in one of your previous vidoes you mentioned one can observe the maturation of whisky as it ages in Glenfarclas's 10, 12, 15, 17, 21, 25 and 30 y/o expressions as they are exclusively matured in -more or less same quality and sized (this is my addition)- sherry casks. Bearing this in mid, what makes 17 y/o inferior to other aged Glenfarclas expressions?
. . . when i tasted it, it just did not work for me. Lacked substance and character.
While Ralfy was able to praise the Glenfarclas distillery for their traditional practices and and family-owned attention to detail, I imagine that part of him was itching to say he wishes it was 46%, non-chill-filtered, and not artificially coloured.😊
Absolutely love Glenfarclas 12. One of my favorite Speysiders. I agree, the bang for buck factor is hard to beat. This rivals MacAllan 12.
The nose is much more toffee than sherry to me. Prefer it on the palate but as I wrote in the 15 review, there is something in this one that remembers me some blends, like a kind of sweetness you get from the grains.
"A bottle of hooch was far more tangible and reliable currency than the kings head on a metal coin."
Here we go again!
I am thinking about buying a bottle of this and blending it the 105 to amp up the ABV a bit...
I cannot find the 15 and the 25 is $190usd...too much.
I bought the last Billy Walker Glendronach 12 bottled in March 2016 at my old Asia market today..$57usd.. I may have found the last of those in Siem Reap.
$190 for the 25 seems too much considering I found Glendronach 18s for $82 last year.
Pleasure to join you in the bothy for some common sense and a bit of history, especially after the week I've just had here in the U.S. where common sense and remembering the lessons of history are in very short supply. Just my opinion, but what does a guy know after graduating Summa Cum Laude with a degree in history and political science anyway. Grateful for all you have taught me about whisky over the years Ralfy, for I am enjoying my wee dram to the fullest. Thank you!
I just purchased a bottle of the 21yo, very good. Great price!
Dan E Thinking about getting a bottle. Amazing price. How is it?
It's was good, only had one dram so far. It was a little hot for a 21, added some water. I bought a bottle of GlenDronoach 18yo at the same time. I enjoyed the GlenDronoach more.
Good to hear. Thanks!
Hello Ralfy can you Review Glenfarclas 25 for us? Greetings from Germany
Just getting into bourban.
Finished rowens creeks and eagle rare, loved them both. What should I try next? Mid budget
Aaron Marshall
Try Blantons, Buffalo Trace and Wild Turkey 101.
High West, Elijah Craig
hi ralfy
is there any difference between FINISH and AFTERTASTE??if yes please elaborate in detail the exact concept of ARRIVAL,DEVELOPMENT,FINISH in next episode....how to judge the length of first 2???
Hi Ralfy, thanks for your informative and fun reviews... been watching them for a few months now. I'd love to hear your thoughts on "the singleton of Glen ord 12yo" which I really enjoy lately and is very popular here in Vietnam where we choose to live!
Hi Ralfy. Unfortunately, I believe around 2005 Glendronach converted to steam heating their stills. Also, another great distillery who direct-fired their stills was Longmorn who also converted to steam in 1994, which i notice a definite difference in the distillate between young/older bottlings.
ICEMAN6282 yes, I just checked on the glendronach site, indirect steam heating in 2005.
. . . thanks for the info: I will mention this in my next vlog.
It is natural colour, it says so on the label, Ralfy. So, you might give it an extra mark for that.... 86/100.
Hi Ralfy,i really enjoy and learning a lot of good stuff from you.Just wondering would you review the Organic single malt from France called Domaine Des Hautes Glaces Cask #31 or equivalent for us ? Thank you
Hi Ralfy, thanks for the GF12 yo vlog. I was not too impressed by it & your findings helps me to confirm the same. Any chance of you reviewing Bunnahabhain Cruach Mhona Scotch Malt 50 Nat 6 Dump Round Cork Wood Top Tube & the Longmorn 16 Year Old ???
Ralfy, how does glenfarclas decide which cask to bottle at 10, 12, 15, etc? Is there a method? Just curious
Awesome. Was eyeing this for a while. Traveling out in 2 days. Will grab one at Singapore Airport.
Hi Ralfy, sincerely thankful for all the awesome content. I have a question: what's the highest Malt Mark you've given to a whiskey?
. . . about 94 for a Signatory Mortlach a few years back.
ralfystuff, thank you for the reply. I'll try to find the video.
LOL, it was a 95 but it was a Signatory Mortlach. (And it was in 2009, is that a few years?) Review 24 by the way.
Hi Ralfy. Thanks for the videos. On a different topic, have you thought of mixing a scotch with a port or sherry wine? Maybe a red wine if you want to dilute a strong whisky.On still another topic, have you noticed the deals to be had on gift packs of whisky around the Holidays? I'll be stocking-up.
I always learn something. That said.With the holidays approaching. What is the Ralfy recommended mix with EggNog.
Pour egg nog in to a tumbler, pour a measure of a Glendronach 15 yo Revival in to a glencairn. Pick up the glencairn, smell the whisky, taste the whisky, glance at the egg nog. Repeat.
The 105 is one of my all time favourites. Will you be coming to Spirit of Toronto again? I'm sure you don't remember but I enjoyed having a dram with you. I had a chuckle when my wife stoles Jim's chair and he was too polite British to say anything about it.
Ralfy you briefly mentioned Glen Garioch which has a similar sherried style and quality to the Glenfarclas and Aberlours. Having recently enjoyed some Glen Garioch myself I was curious of what you thought of that distiller and ended up watching your quite positive review of Founders Reserve from 7 years ago!! I wonder how it holds up in 2016.
Review 369, in June of 2013, was also an endorsement of Glen Garioch if you want to check it out.
Ciao Ralfy!
More rum reviews please!
Very interesting story, never heard about it before.
I prefer glenmorangie 12 and glendronach 12 much more for just a bit higher price. I tasted some bitterness for my 2nd bottle at glenfarclas 12.
There's currently a Glenfarclas 2003 on offer at M&S for £17 (reduced from £35).
. . . . SERIOUSLY good buy !
Have you tried the 1 litre 18yo glenfarclas?
So, for Whisky Review 666, are you going to do Black Art?
Devil's casks?
I LOVE Black Art 4.1! It changes over a period of 45mins for me!
it's dark let's party?
There is a Jim Beam's Devil's Cut. Just throwing it out there =D
No color added to any Glenfarclas scotches, which is a minimum criteria for me. I also like the dark, tinted bottles (which they all are now - even the 10 and 12 years), because they resist degrading due to direct sunlight - not that the bottle stays on my shelf long enough to suffer from that anyway.
Wait, isn't Aberlour matured in cherry casks?
. . . most of the time, yes ! 'Sherry', not cherry !
I usually get harsh and kind of bitter notes in the finish, due to the tannins from the 3rd? fill casks. apart from that a decent, robust stuff. but the 15y is way better, imho
Ralfy rated the 15 five points higher (90) so he also thinks the 15 is way better. Strange thing is though, that he rated the 10 year old 89 points.
yeah, the 10yo is a much lighter and milder version of glenfarclas and doesn't compare to either of these. but still very pleasing and a good choise for beginners too
Yes health and safety is bollocks you are right there, love Glenfarclas especially the 105. So I am slightly disappointed with the Mark, you gave it, anyway thanks Ralfy.
I've been eyeing the 17 for a while now. Does anyone have any thoughts on it? or can anyone dissuade me? thanks
Bought the liter bottle of this a while ago. 15 euros well spent.
Hi Ralfy, have you ever tried Bruichladdich Bere Barley 2008? It's quite young at only 6 years, but i find it very refreshing and at a decent price. Anyway keep up the good work and cheers from the Netherlands.
The bottle I have is darker and it says natural colour on the label at the back.
Thank you for this review and Malt Moment Ralfy. Most everything I have seen lately here in the States has been political happenings and reactions. It's nice to take a cybertravel across the pond for a moment at your bothy. Much appreciated!
Hi Ralfy. You often mention Glen Garioch, but as far as I am aware, you have only reviewed the NAS Founders Reserve. The 12 year old has a lot to offer. I would welcome a review. Keep up the good work.
Review 369, in June of 2013, was also an endorsement of Glen Garioch if you want to check it out.
I hate peat, so as a sherry whisky fan, would I be put off by this one?
There's no peat. It's just a little spicy in the finish that may make someone think it may be peat. Personally, I find the finish to taste like spicy oak, and of course the sherry, which you get all the way through from beginning to end.
@@VazzVegas perfect. Sounds like I'll like it then. Thank you!
I just keep watching this vid for several times now. Love this bottle. I take 3 bottles at a time cause I can't stop sitting and enjoy looking and drinking this bottle.
What did you think of the Johnny Walker advert post US election Ralfy? WIth Woody Guthroe's This land is your land, and do you think it's well intentioned or purely one of many marketing gimmicks? ;)
just got me a bottle of this gonna try it with this video later
Hello Ralfy,
according to this article whiskyscience.blogspot.cz/2015/09/scottish-pot-still-variations.html it seems there're more distilleries using direct-fired stills. And as somebody mentioned earlier, Glendronach switched from direct-fired to steam coil heating in 2005.
"There are still Scottish distilleries using direct-fired stills; Glenfiddich, Glenfarclas and Macallan use direct-firing for both wash and spirit stills, while Springbank, Glen Garioch and Tobermory use direct-fired wash stills."
. . . interesting stuff and useful information for us all.
ralfy you are the Best!!!
Ralfy, let me say first, big fan of the channel. I do however have a slight complaint, in that I feel your ratings (malt marks) are slightly inconsistent. A few videos ago you rated Glenmorangie 18yo an 84, yet in this video, as it appeared, you had more positive things to say about this whiskey, and yet receives only 1 point higher. Not quite understanding how that happens, considering you weren't impressed with the Glenmorangie.
Slainte
Great video, btw. Thnx, Ralfy ;)
Always an enjoyment. Slainte Mhath.
Why no no age statement videos?
. . . most NAS whiskies are expensive, young and immature. Some are not, but it's difficult to tell without tasting. Age statements reveal the 'value' of a whisky.
Just looked up Glenfarclas Family Cask 1961. Holly smoke! CAD$14000 a bottle!
how come ralfy doesn't review Glendronach Cask Strenght?
. . . I've not bought a bottle yet !
He has reviewed it 3 years ago, batch 2 in fact.
As far as I know, it has no age statement so it's not eligible.
I prefer it definitely without water!!!
Any time Ralfy! :)
Xmass whisky chosen!!
Macallan have ceded ground to Glenfarclas/Glendronach in my opinion.
Macallan has ceded ground to everyone.
I have the 17 and I also have the 15 cask strength. I would rate the 17 an 85 and the 15 an 80. The 17 I would buy again, the 15 CS no.
You mentioned they are careful with their casks. Just opened a 1L bottle and first smell was rotten eggs. What a reek!!! The bottle is tainted with too much sulphur.
Tastes sensational though.
. . . let the bottle breathe !
My local liquor store has the 15yr old 46% Glenfarclas on special at the moment for $35 cheaper than the 12yr old.
Would I be better off getting the 15yr old while I can get it at that price?
get both 👀
great stuff buddy
Looking forward to sharing an afternoon and a dram with you later 😀
. . . Mortlach 27 on the menu !
Brilliant,going to be a great day 👍🏻
. . . it was a god day !
ralfystuff I got a bottle and now this is one of my regulars. I loved the 21 yo., but this is close to that quality. Ralfy what else, as far as liqour, taste GL like this. I"m probably crazy, but it reminds me of RYE.