Glenfarclas 105 22-Year-Old: 50 Years Of An Icon
Posted by Scott Fitzsimons on 10th Dec 2018
Ever since Australians began to organise their single malt whisky drinking experiences in the ‘70s and ’80 we’ve been known as a continent of cask strength lovers.
Glenfarclas’ veritable 105 has long scratched that itch for drinkers, a muscular 60% dram that balances the heat of the alcohol with rich, sherry-case induced fruits. It’s also a global icon for the historic Speyside sherry-cask house.
The 105 was introduced in 1968, originally as a hand-fill for employees and friends of the distillery around Christmas time. Its popularity saw it morph into a core line release, which at the time was quite ground-breaking given the rest of Scotch was almost exclusively bottling at 40%.
It is unique in its production as well. To ensure that the spirit doesn’t drop below 60% during the aging process the distillery have been known to fill barrels at pure still strength, rather than cutting to the industry average of 63.5%.
To mark the 50th anniversary of the release, the Grants – who’ve owned the distillery since 1865 – have created a very special 22-year-old expression, which harks to the very best expressions of this famous dram.
Very limited with only 3,600 worldwide, and far less of that in Australia, the 22-year-old is everything we love about the 105. Full-bodied, full-flavoured, brazen, packed with dense fruit and carrying that cigar-box earthy note Glenfarclas likes to show from time to time.
The 22-year-old 105 is now available in very limited quantities. We are offering our allocation at one-per-person.
Glenfarclas and The Oak Barrel have long had a 'spiritual' connection - strengthened by our respective independent status. One of the first distilleries to be a regular range over a decade ago, it was also one of the first distilleries we bottled an exclusive cask with.
Also just landed in store is a range of Family Casks – exceptional single casks from throughout the Glenfarclas warehouses chosen for their brilliance and uniqueness.
Current vintages include 1979, 1989, 1990, 1998 and 2000.