Please note: one pin of the lock on the box is missing.

Tasting notes by Serge Valentin (WhiskyFun.com) 92/100

Glenfarclas 1966/2013 'Fino Casks' (50.5%, OB, casks #4194, 4195, 4197, 1444 bottles)

This little baby was bottled in December last year but it’s only going to be available in the coming weeks. It should be 47 years old if I’m not mistaken. Fino was unusual at Glenfarclas, where oloroso was/is the norm as far as sherry’s concerned. As for the marital compensation trick, you may not need any. In case you do, may I suggest three Hermès scarves?

Colour: deep gold.

Nose: for a start, marmalade. The finest marmalade. Great but a tad disappointing because of the relative narrowness of the first nose. But then… there’s an avalanche of smaller, more complex, more tertiary aromas. Those would include chartreuse, wormwood, iodine (is that the fino?), walnut liqueur, vin jaune (no wonder), old roses, patchouli, eucalyptus, tangerines, almond oil, ale… The whole remains very clean, with that marmalady structure that keeps it focused. Perfect.

Mouth: exceptional arrival, spicy and zesty at the same time. Again, marmalade with a little white pepper. And then, chartreuse jaune, orange liqueur, a funny herbal zestiness (angelica? Kiwi jam?) as well as walnuts again, but less than in the nose. I find the sherry rather discrete.

Finish: very long and always spicy/zesty. The oak feels a little more than in the Glenlivet, but the spirit’s structure is fatter so balance is kept. Marmalade with pepper and wasabi or horseradish.

Comments: I find this absolutely superb. To tell you the truth I had lower expectations because I had already tried a bottle of 1966 fino that was excellent, but not quite as stellar in my book (88-ish).

SGP:661 – 92 points.