I've never had the Glenfarclas 30, but I've had the 10, 12, 15, 17, 21 and 25.
Let me review my notes and see:
Glenfarclas 25:
Nose: WHAT A NOSE! Wow. DEElicious. Currants, apple fritters, cinnamon, and fruitcake! I am loving this. Just the slightest bit of nose tingle. Just enough to remind me its a whisky that I'm nosing, and not a frosted Christmas cake! Mmmmmm.....
Palate: Ooh! A little tart. Spices building. The mouth leaves a lot to be desired. Not very good, really.
Finish: THERE IT IS! Long and wonderful. Not very sweet at all; mostly spicy and cinnamon. The backwash of aroma is fantastic. Just a subdued version of the nose. More spice; less sweet.
I come back to the nose for the best part. It is intense, flavorful, and mind-numbing. Pralines. So good.
This whisky has a great nose, but the 15yr beats it -- hands down.
Glenfarclas 21:
Nose: Reminds me of Macallan 18yr. Lively. Sweet sherry on the nose. Just a bit of nose tingle, and plenty of depth. Apple. Delicious, ripe, Honeycrisp apples. Some Werther's Original, toffee candy. A hint of tart, unripe fruit, maybe a sour grape? It is activating my saliva glands in my mouth, making it water! I can't wait any longer, I MUST taste it! (Maybe a bit like Glenrothes 1998?)
Palate: Wow! Candy apple. Butterscotch candies. Spicy. Delicious. Very good. I want another sip. Maybe a bit spirited (meaning, not all that smooth).
Finish: Long, with a bit of burn. The tongue tingles with some spicy notes. Honestly, not the best finish.
Is this really a 21yr Scotch? I think I like the 15yr moreso than this. The nose is excellent, and the palate is delicious, but the finish is leaving a bit to be desired. The sherry is nearly completely missing from the finish.
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