Scotch

Glenfarclas 8 Year Old Grant Bonding Co 1970s

OVERALL
RATING

8

Scotch Whisky Review: Glenfarclas 8 Year Old Grant Bonding Co 1970s

A Glenfarclas 8 Year Old bottling dating from the 1970s. The Glenfarclas Distillery is renowned for its sherry cask matured single malt. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Glenfarclas licenced its single malt brand to independent bottler Gordon & Macphail.
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Tasting Notes:

About:
A Glenfarclas 8 Year Old bottling dating from the 1970s. The Glenfarclas Distillery is renowned for its sherry cask matured single malt. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Glenfarclas licenced its single malt brand to independent bottler Gordon & MacPhail, who bottled official releases using their Grant Bond Co subsidiary. This bottling was exported for release in the US market.
Appearance:
Polished Brass / Bronze
Nose:
On the nose, there’s plenty of sherried fruits – raisins, figs, and apricots – alongside malted fruitcake. Some notes of subtle honey sweetness and soft leather.
Palate:
Surprisingly quite an oily but thick texture initially on the palate. Traditional sherried flavors, alongside chocolate and a little vanilla and pepper.
Finish:
Lingering, dominated by sherried fruits and oak. There’s also a whisper of tobacco smoke.
Comments:
Considering the 8-year age statement, this Glenfarclas is a full flavored traditional sherry influenced whisky. The thick, oily mouth coating texture is a little surprising, almost a chewy whisky. Very easy drinking – you could finish a few drams easily!

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Who Would Want a Bottle Like This?

If you’re the kind of drinker who relishes the joys of classic sherried bottlings, it’s hard to imagine this not being right up your alley, especially based on how tasty it sounds in the review. Modern-day sherry maturation is under increasing scrutiny from sharp-eyed whisky fans. Comparisons to bottlings from even just a decade ago are now front and center at tastings around the world.

But if you consider yourself a whisky adventurer, exploring older bottles on the current auction market can be a surprisingly rewarding pursuit. It’s been noted that auction prices are down for most categories, and these older Glenfarclas bottlings are no exception, especially when you consider that even Macallan bottles are often trading below MSRP on many sites. So, while The Macallan continues to dominate the spotlight, this could be your chance to snag a hidden gem at a bargain.

What Makes Glenfarclas 8 Year Old Unique?

Seeing younger Glenfarclas expressions isn’t particularly rare. But this one, bottled decades ago by Gordon & MacPhail under their old labeling, is something else entirely. It’s a bottle that has quietly waited, undisturbed, for years, which is special in itself.

Add to that the growing conversation around the consistency of modern Glenfarclas batches. The whisky is still good, but there’s increasing talk of less dominant sherry casks, especially at lower price points. This, however, is clearly one of those classic sherry bombs.

Final Thoughts on Glenfarclas 8 Year Old

This is a really fun bottle, perfect for anyone looking to build a Glenfarclas collection or pick up something genuinely intriguing from a bygone era. It’s the kind of bottle you enjoy slowly, savoring over time. But even if you don’t plan to open it right away, it makes a fantastic talking point and a great piece for any whisky enthusiast to geek out over.

Mark Bostock

Mark Bostock, an integral part of the Mark Littler LTD UK content writing team since 2019, brings a genuine passion for whisky, especially independent bottlings, to his work. His commitment to expanding his knowledge through attending tasting events and building his own collection enriches his contributions, blending expertise with enthusiasm.

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