11 things to know before tasting a Glenfarclas Single Malt
1. The name "Glenfarclas" means "valley of green grass"
The name of the distillery refers to its location, a three hour drive north of Edinburgh, nestled at the foot of Mount Ben Rinnes in a picturesque setting. At the top of the Ben Rinnes slopes, covered with heather, purple in summer, snow white in winter, spring sources whose perfect and pure water is transformed by Glenfarclas into "eau de vie".
2. A family distillery since 1865
The history of Glenfarclas is inseparable from that of the Grant family, which has owned the distillery since June 8, 1865, when farmer John Grant bought for £511.19 the Rechlerich farm, famous among other things for its Glenfarclas distillery founded in 1836. More 200 years after the birth of John Grant, his descendants continue to be the keepers of the distillery and remain united by the same desire: to create a pure and perfect Scottish Highland whisky. Glenfarclas is thus one of the last 3 family distilleries still operating today in Scotland. It is the only distillery to have been passed from father to son in 6 generations!
The family management of the distillery has enabled optimal management of barrel stocks for decades. This still allows the distillery today to offer a full range of 10 years to 60 years of age. In addition Glenfarclas has always had barrels of each vintage since the 1950s ... an invaluable treasure.
3. The Glenfarclas distillery remains fully and proudly independent
A large majority of Scotland's distilleries today belong to large international groups, but Glenfarclas jealously retains its independence, which gives it the freedom to make high-quality malt whisky in the purest Scottish tradition. In this logic, the immense copper stills are always heated with a direct fire unlike many distilleries which now use steam coils.
4. Aging in Sherry casks
Glenfarclas continues to use mainly Sherry Casks in its maturation process, giving a characteristic aroma to its whisky. Directly imported from Spain, the Sherry Casks are selected by John L. S. Grant, the president of the distillery. These oak barrels contribute to the richness, uniqueness and deep colour of Glenfarclas whisky.
5. Glenfarclas operates with two fermentations: a short, a long
The short fermentation highlights the malt aromas. The long fermentation shapes the fruit aromas and the fatty texture.
During distillation, the stills are among the last in Scotland to be heated over direct heat. Despite their large size, the shape of the stills favours a very "concentrated" distillation. The neck at the outlet of the still is descending. All of this shapes the robust, powerful, malty and fruity character of the Glenfarclas distillate.
6. The Glenfarclas range has a completely natural colour
The entire Glenfarclas range has completely natural colours unlike other whiskies. The use of Sherry barrels for aging gives Glenfarclas whisky a rich and deep colour, with a generally amber and mysterious robe.
Three ingredients are enough to produce the unique, complex and aromatic spirit of Glenfarclas: pure spring water from Ben Rinnes, malted barley and yeast.
7. The use of quality barley
The barley used for the production of the Glenfarclas Single Malt is malted in small batches by specialized malt houses to produce the best spirits. Glenfarclas stopped malting its barley at the distillery in 1973 but can store up to 330 tonnes of malt sufficient for 16 days of production.
8. Its copper stills are the largest in Speyside
They allow Glenfarclas to distill its brandy twice to keep only the lightest alcohol. The first distillation takes place in wash still stills, which can hold 25,000 liters, and the second distillation in smaller spirit still stills.
9. Glenfarclas Scotch Whisky
To be called "Scotch Whisky", the spirit must age for a minimum of 3 years in Scotland and in oak barrels with a maximum capacity of 700 liters. At Glenfarclas, two types of barrels are used for aging: plain casks, barrels of 250L of Bourbon of second filling or Sherry of 4th filling and Sherry casks of 500L or 250L having previously contained Sherry Oloroso or Fino of Spain .
10. Long years of rest
The whisky rests for many years in the distillery cellars built around 1880. The very thick stone walls allow to maintain a constant temperature ideal for the aging of the spirit. Each year, 2% of the volume evaporates from the barrels, this is the famous "share of the angels".
11. Whisky blending is a generation secret
Whisky blending is a secret passed down from father to son at Glenfarclas. It’s the unique combination of family experience and this unique place. In 2011, the distillery celebrated its 175th anniversary of legal distillation and the Grant family seems ready to continue the traditions of their ancestors for another 175 years!
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