Who is Glenfarclas 15 whisky for?

[@iancrombie8862]

GF 15 was the first whisky i really liked..7 years ago..visited the distillery in 2018..the 105,21 and 25 are great too!😍🥃

[@McIntyresMalts]

Would have been great to visit the distillery!

[@p____p4tel]

An absolutely perfect summary of this well reputed whisky. It has quality but it is up against so many well constructed sherried whisky's. It comes in behind things like the bottles in the Aberlour range etc.

[@McIntyresMalts]

Thanks for your words. Glad my take on it resonates 🙌

[@NoteworthyWhisky]

Nice review! I’m glad you at least got a good batch of the 15. It can be very up and down. What you say about it being a bit boring and forgettable I definitely found that with the 21. I 100% agree with your assessment of them using tired casks. Cheers, Wade!

[@McIntyresMalts]

Yikes, it would be really off-putting getting a bad bottle of this if what I got was considered their better work 🫤

[@NoteworthyWhisky]

@@McIntyresMalts Yeah for sure. I gave my bottle a 4/10 back at the end of June. Either way, great review. Cheers, Wade!

[@hamo4558]

I grabbed a dram to have along with you. Loved your descriptors, absolutely spot on. I think what makes this one different is that it's like a 'template', and all the other like for like sherried whiskies have their added something. The Glenfarclas 15 is the template if that makes sense. I bought this one too hoping for something better andd will often reach past it. I was disappointed with the 105, and also there are plenty of alternatives. I have yet tried ( nor the budget ) for one of their 'family' cask editions.

[@McIntyresMalts]

I like the way you put it, a "template" really makes sense to me. I have tried samples of some family casks in the hopes that they would redeem Glenfarclas in my eyes.... sadly they did not.

[@hamo4558]

@@McIntyresMalts Good to know..... saves me a few dollars

[@WhiskyNeighbour]

Fair that it doesn't grab you. However, I really enjoy this 15. I would agree with all of your notes and in fact i would argue this, over their 12 or 18 has more character. At least that has been my experience. Glad you shared your thoughts. Cheers!

[@McIntyresMalts]

Definitely agree that it’s better than the 12 and 18

[@DonnerPassWhisky]

It's been a few years since I had my bottle of this, but from memory, your review is spot on. It was good, but as you said, no obvious hook. For some strange reason, they do not import this into the US ? Ordered from a UK online shop, and it was good, but there are so many other bottles I like more that cost less. Cheers Wade

[@McIntyresMalts]

Cheers my friend 🥃

[@brukuns]

Please do a blind. I have no question this would surprise you. I still agree with your assessment.

[@McIntyresMalts]

Been done and recorded 😉 Will be out soon. Compared 8 x 15 year old whiskies blind.

[@thewhiskyenthusiast]

This is definitely for me, even though I don't connect with sherried whiskies much. This one is just too good to miss :) I get what you're saying with growing out of it but for me I still go back to it as an easy sipper, no fuss no muss happy times :) Cheers Wade, very good review 🥃

[@McIntyresMalts]

I hear you brother, the beauty of whisky is different things resonate with different palates and as long we are all enjoying whisky together life is good!

[@ven1983]

Just grabbed this whisky and the Stolzle whisky glass that you recommended.

[@bluesmanen1]

Nice and honest review. To me this a really great 15yo sherried whisky with good specs and good price tag, sek820 (aud$118), I try to always have a bottle at home. I agree in some parts, not a very complex dram, but a really good quality dram. And of course, there are plenty of similar whisky in the same price range that "gives more"...one good example is Edradour 12yo Caledonia....a marvellous, complex dram🍷cheers

[@McIntyresMalts]

Good points and a good price you get it for Mats!

[@ironmantran]

GFC15 used to be my go-to : now, prices up +50-100% each bott , i buy less but keep just ONE of each alternatives : Goyne15 , Romach15, Tamdhu15, ... great vid.

[@McIntyresMalts]

Thank you my friend, yes I agree those alternatives you mention are better whiskies to have in the collection.

[@whiskeyisajourney]

I think you are right. It doesn't have enough to grab me. In fact I think their entire age stated lineup is lack lustered. I would rather go with the 105. At least it has a punch. I hope all is well Wade. Cheers!

[@christinecamley]

Agreed!👍

[@McIntyresMalts]

Thanks Peter, I am doing well! Hope all is good on your end too 🥃

[@scottmathieson2324]

Great review, had similar experience with a sample of this and havent looked at anything else from them.

[@McIntyresMalts]

Of the handful of Glenfarclas expressions I have tried I am still waiting to be impressed.

[@vktay3198]

Like you accurately pointed out, its a baseline whisky. Recommended price is spot on!

[@McIntyresMalts]

Thank you for checking it out 🥃

[@WhiskeyNovice]

Nice one sir. Just finding your channel now. Don't know how I missed it. We're not doing a lot for Glenfarclas sales eh!? But...honesty is honesty and...their whisky, although great is just, as you suggested, forgettable.

[@McIntyresMalts]

Thanks for checking it out Jim, nice to know my thoughts are shared 😉🥃

[@whiskywhereabouts]

Well reviewed, Wade. Straight down the middle Speyside whisky. It's usually a decent value, but the 15 seems a little harder to find here in the US than the 12 and the 17. Cheers!

[@caskstrength7629]

It is sherry cask only. Maybe next time try a Cask-Strength for sure more taste. Nice review.

[@McIntyresMalts]

Thanks for clarifying. Proves my point then that it's matured in tired casks. You can get an equivalent 15 year old sherried whisky with the same specs that packs loads more flavour than this one (think: Glendronach, GlenAllachie, Tamdhu, Speyburn etc etc)

[@caskstrength7629]

@@McIntyresMalts I also think that’s true.

[@MrSilasgreenback]

A perceptive review. I'm working my way through a Glenfarclas 12 at present, with a 15 to open for comparison shortly. Describing it as a "baseline" whisky seems about right to me. It doesn't have a party trick. But I must say that I am enjoying this 12 in some respects for exactly that reason. It's components are all there, and done very competently, it's a very pleasant whisky. While I make tasting notes on whisky, I tend to store them in my head in a simple trinary list - No, Maybe and Always. Glenfarclas 12 is a maybe for me. Primarily because at £55 UK price I would prefer to buy something new to try, or a confirmed favourite (Deanston, Ledaig, anCnoc). It does not quite punch up to it's price point given the competition, but on sale in the £35-£40 I'd happily reach for it.

[@McIntyresMalts]

Summed it up really well my friend 🥃

[@billyboy9810]

They seem to be the whisky of choice for airline passengers, it's solid but forgettable. Their prices are good but I would gladly pay a tenner more for something really nice. Cheers Wade, great honest review as always.

[@McIntyresMalts]

Yeah me too BillyBoy, I'd pay that little bit extra to make the difference

[@astroboy3507]

Hey Wade I had a bottle of 21 and I found the same thing it didn't grab me and I was bit suprised too!!! The prices are very reasonable but not great brand for me! 🥃✌️ Is that a Wu tang shirt?

[@McIntyresMalts]

Wu Tang / Nas / DMX / Run DMC / Redman 😉

[@astroboy3507]

@McIntyresMalts yep I know them all comming from a breaker a graff writter from the 90s! Wade! 🤙✌️

[@McIntyresMalts]

@@astroboy3507 Oh shit, me too! But in the 2000's. Probably know some of the same people.

[@astroboy3507]

@@McIntyresMalts I'm 50 now! 😒

[@SaltyCuban]

I had this on my to get list probably longer than any other bottle I have never bought. In part because it’s not for the US market. Once I started buying online I always found another bottle to get instead. Now it’s lost it’s shine and it’s more expensive. Not buying it. On a positive note. Some years ago I had the 12 and really enjoyed it.

[@McIntyresMalts]

There are definitely loads more bottles out there with much more to offer

[@SaltyCuban]

@@McIntyresMalts How good do you think is the Deanston 18? Would you get two of those or one , and a Benrinnes 15? Also if you had $150 to spend on ONE bottle. What would you choose? Aside from peated expressions since I’m maxed out on those at the moment.

[@McIntyresMalts]

​@@SaltyCuban I haven't tried the Deanston 18 yet so can't offer an opinion on that one. I did like the Benrinnes 15. If I had $150 (AUD) to spend on a non-peated whisky I would almost certainly grab the GlenDronach 15. If you don't like a sherried profile I'd suggest Glencadam 15 as a backup selection that offers beautiful orchard fruits on the palate.

[@Rohit_M]

Great review and spot on with Glenfarclas. Great 15 year old but rather forgettable. What I found interesting was the sherry influence and it does stand out in a blind flight. Maybe old tired casks at Glenfarclas. The higher proof 105 and others in their lineup are better.

[@jimmyjazz4605]

Great review mate. The core range of Glenfarclas is a bit lackluster. What's the name of the glass you're using? Looks really nice.

[@McIntyresMalts]

It's called a Stolzle glass, I really rate them. Similar to a Glencairn, but better to hold.

[@jimmyjazz4605]

@@McIntyresMalts Awesome, thanks mate!

[@hazydavo]

Agree on your advice with this one however I think there is also something to be said about well rounded solid expressions like this. Curious what did you think of the 21yo?

[@McIntyresMalts]

I reviewed the 21 here kzbin.info/www/bejne/Znvdqn6Jj7GForc

[@utoobia]

I’ve only had one bottle and I truly loved it. Excellent, old school flavors, nothing boring at all. I’d score it an 86. Bought a second bottle but haven’t opened it. I’ve heard it can be batchy, so who knows, but I disagree with this review.

[@McIntyresMalts]

That’s fair, we all enjoy flavours differently. Appreciate you sharing your thoughts 😅

[@EscargoT80]

Mos def me!! 💯☝️😉🥃

[@caskstrength7629]

I got a 15 54,5% 👌🇳🇱

[@McIntyresMalts]

Cask Strength!

[@caskstrength7629]

@@McIntyresMalts 😁👍🏼

[@premier1975]

Just before this I saw Jim's (whisky novice) review on the glenfarclas 12...

[@McIntyresMalts]

Intersting timing! Is that a new release of his? I will need to check it out.

[@premier1975]

@@McIntyresMalts yep, 2 hours ago now.

[@utoobia]

The 12 can’t hold a candle to the 15.

[@McIntyresMalts]

@@utoobia Agreed, but the 15 ain't shining that bright either...

[@dantasker9310]

Wutang is for the whisky

[@McIntyresMalts]

👐

[@leehaseley2164]

So, would you say that this one is clearly good, yet slightly generic?

[@McIntyresMalts]

Yes, that’s a good way to put it

[@Francesco_Quaranta_1966]

I never connect with Glenfarclas whiskies. I found the tasting profile very similar to the nose, where the maltiness and the sherry sweetness combine with spiced aromas, honey, vanilla, butterscotch, and ripe fruit (apples and pears). Too sweet and rather one-dimensional, it lacks depth and complexity from the simultaneous presence of different key flavours (sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and savoury). I consider Glenfarclas as an entry-level sherried whisky, easy to drink, and suitable for those who approach single malts for the first time and wish to experience this sweet flavour without being overwhelmed by a too complex aromatic profile or alcoholic strength.

[@McIntyresMalts]

Completely agree. I have some tell me how fantastic Glenfarclas can be but I’ve yet to experience what they’re talking about. It’s nice whisky sure, but there is a lot better out there and I believe there’s a reason why (at least in my market) it’s priced so affordably and I think it’s because It’s a lesser whisky.