Glenfarclas £511.19s.0d Family Reserve

Nose

Honey and raisins with gentle charred-cask bitterness hidden behind. Stewed apples and pears develop in the glass, along with golden sugar, Portugese custard tarts, buttered fruit cake, nutmeg and clove. Despite those heavier notes, it’s still quite fresh, with freshly sliced Golden Delicious apple and hints of candied lemon.

Palate

Soft and rounded, with delicate sherry-cask spice and fruit to start. The flavours get darker as it develops, moving on through raisins and dark fruit cake to gentle notes of char and mixed spice. Just before the death, fresh apple pops up, accompanied by damp leaves and forest floor earthiness.

Finish

Nutmeg and cinnamon toast, soft and lingering with tart apple sauce and a hint of liquorice.

Comment

A game of two halves, with fresh fruit and weighty sherry-matured flavours balanced carefully, with each taking their turn on the nose and palate.

Sweet and rich sherry, like a toffee syrup over a freshly toasted French baguette, the nose promises fresh fruit smothered in heather honey, ending almost like a sweet port.

Then a dry yet sweet taste, a lovely balance of fruit, light nuttiness and milk chocolate develop, followed by a very palatable long and easy finish.