Scotch

Scotch Whisky Review: SMWS 1.206 Glenfarclas 1997 20 Year Old

$332

OVERALL
RATING

9

Scotch Whisky Review: SMWS 1.206 Glenfarclas 1997 20 Year Old

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Tasting Notes:

About:
A single cask 20-year-old Glenfarclas from independent bottler Scotch Malt Whisky Society. SMWS Release 1.206 was distilled in 1997, aged in a First Fill PX Hogshead, and bottled two decades later at natural cask strength of 54% ABV, without chill filtration or added colouring. The cask yielded a total of 233 bottles.
Appearance:
Medium to deep copper, like loose-leaf tea. Thick and oily in the glass with tears that develop slowly.
Nose:
Bold and expressive. Rich, dark Christmas cake and sticky malt loaf. Citrus from candied orange peel. Plenty of heavily sherried notes with raisin, fig, cherry and plum. Wood spice with nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves.
Palate:
Full mouthfeel, rich and mouth coating. Big, bold and flavoursome. Again plenty of those heavily sherried notes with more raisins, figs, cherries and plums. Dark Christmas cake with a touch of ginger. Again a citrus note from orange peel. Wood spice with nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves. Alcohol is well integrated, adding to the mouthfeel with just a touch of heat.
Finish:
Medium to long. A savoury edge with walnut and tea. Dark fruits fade into plenty of warming spice.
Comments:
A delicious, well-aged, Glenfarclas. Bound to delight fans of Glenfarclas and, indeed, all fans of heavily-sherried single malt scotch.

Does Glenfarclas Bottle Whiskies Like This?

Some of you will already know that they do. The Family Cask Series from Glenfarclas is a highly respected collection of single vintage, single cask releases from the distillery. The only downside is that they don’t release many of them.

You do have the Glenfarclas 105, the first-ever ‘high strength’ whisky brought to market in the 1960s. It’s a great dram, but as a batched product, it offers little variation. The joy of a single cask is that—whether you like it or not—it’s a one-off, special, and truly unique.

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Glenfarclas also doesn’t allow independent bottlers to use their name on the label. This SMWS release is designated as 1.206, as the founder of The SMWS purchased a Glenfarclas as their first cask (1), and this is the 206th release from their own warehouses. Many other bottlers will label it as ‘Secret Speyside,’ ‘Speyside’s Finest,’ or simply ‘Speyside.’

Is It Worth Getting An SMWS Membership?

After visiting an SMWS outpost in Edinburgh, it’s almost impossible not to be blown away by what’s on offer. The sheer scale of these bars, combined with knowledgeable staff guiding you through the whiskies, makes for a remarkable experience. It offers the comfort of membership in a highly specialized club, along with the level of service you’d expect in a fine dining restaurant and bar.

If you don’t live near one of their outposts, it can be hard to justify the cost of membership—but it grants access to some of the best cask-strength whiskies on the planet. Their blended malt selections are also exceptional. If you’re into indie bottlings and want great value, all the way up to high-end bottles, SMWS is a must. Even if you only sign up for a year, you’ll quickly understand what all the fuss is about.

Final Thoughts On The SMWS 1.206 Glenfarclas 1997 20 Year Old

A clearly outstanding expression from the world-famous Speyside distillery, but something you can only get your hands on with an SMWS Membership. It is something you should consider as part of your whisky adventure.

Ed Leigh

Ed Leigh is a recognized authority on independent bottlers and artisan Scotch whisky. In 2019, he founded TopWhiskies.com, a specialist retailer dedicated to promoting these often family-run businesses and showcasing their small-batch releases. Based in London, Ed holds certifications in both wine and spirits from The Wine & Spirit Education Trust.

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