Glenfarclas / 51119 Family Reserve

Summary: Country/Region: Scotland/Speyside.
Unit: 70cl
ABV: 43%.
This month J. & G. Grant introduce the new £511.19s.0d Family Reserve to celebrate the 150th anniversary of family ownership of the Glenfarclas distillery. On the 8th of June 1865, John Grant, 1st generation of the Grant family, bought the distillery for £511.19s.0d. His grandsons, John and George, later formed the company J. & G. Grant and to this day it remains an independent business and firmly in the hands of the family’s 5th & 6th generation.
The £511.19s.0d Family Reserve, a non-chill filtered bottling at 43%, is a vatting of predominantly first fill sherry butts which proudly embodies the distillery’s sherry profile, bringing together all the character of this great spirit across the generations. Sweet and rich sherry, like a toffee syrup over a freshly toasted French baguette, the nose promises fresh fruit smothered in heather honey, ending almost like a sweet port. Then a dry yet sweet taste, a lovely balance of fruit, light nuttiness and milk chocolate develop, followed by a very palatable long and easy finish. A copy of the original bill of sale is included with each bottle along with a note from George Grant explaining the significance of the £511.19s.0d Family Reserve to the Grant family tradition.
Putting this family achievement into perspective, the time and dedication taken by the Grant’s to create a consistently high quality whisky for well over a century should not be underestimated. Within an industry where economic booms and recessions are omnipresent, the art of balancing and anticipating the worldwide demand for whisky is no easy feat. Yet the Grants pushed on through the changing landscape of the whisky industry, as more and more distilleries were bought over by international conglomerates, as drinks portfolios expanded and aged single malt took to the fore. Over the years they have witnessed an entire transformation of distillery ownership across Scotland, resisting company proposals for the purchase of their very own distillery and choosing instead to be governed by no one other than themselves.
To mark this historic occasion today at the distillery, John and George Grant filled 10 sherry butts and 10 sherry hogshead casks to lay down for the future generations. “The beauty of independence is that we have total control over the quality and character of our whisky, and with this control we can personally choose what we want the brand to represent”, says George Grant, 6th generation of the family. Today with only a handful of independent distillers left, J. & G. Grant have stood the test of time and with the release of this special edition £511.19s.0d Family Reserve, what better way to raise a glass to their history and Glenfarclas single malt whisky.

Macallan Distillery / 2005 Speymalt

Summary: Country/Region: Scotland/Speyside.
Unit: 70cl
ABV: 43%.
CASK TYPE: 1st Fill and Refill Sherry Casks.
Age: 9 Years Old.
Distilled: 2005
Bottled: 2014
STYLE: Light summer dram (Aperitif).
AROMA WITHOUT WATER: Delicate Sherry influences with sweet Highland toffee and banana aromas. Hints of lemon and peppermint linger.
TASTE WITHOUT WATER: The palate is peppery initially with pear, pineapple and orange peel flavours. Complimented by a creamy milk chocolate and Brazil nut edge.
AROMA WITH WATER: Has become lighter, with green apple, pineapple and kiwi fruit aromas. Underlying hints of sweet vanilla and eucalyptus.
TASTE WITH WATER: Refreshing grapefruit, sweet strawberry and blueberry flavours initially. These combine with a delicate white chocolate edge.