Birthdays are the perfect occasion to dip into something truly special, and what could be more fitting than marking the day with a lineup of extraordinary drams? For this year’s celebration, I decided to indulge with three remarkable Glenfarclas Family Casks spanning decades of craftsmanship: a 1979 (the year I was born), a 1967, and a venerable 1957. Each of these whiskies represents a unique chapter in Glenfarclas’s rich history, promising an unforgettable journey through time in a glass. Join me as I talk about first fills and refill casks, and as I toast to another year less young – and closing to the age of those 1967 and 1957 – with these Glenfarclas Family Casks 1979, 1967 & 1957 treasures.
First fill? Refill? Fourth Fill?
The number of fills and refills of a cask plays a crucial role in shaping the character and quality of the whisky it matures. Here’s why it’s important:
First is the impact on flavour extraction:
- Virgin oak cask: A cask that has never been used before. It’s the richest in wood-imparted flavours and tannins, coming only from the type of wood, but strongly and very quickly imparts robust and intense flavours to the whisky.
- First-fill cask: A cask used for the first time after being seasoned (e.g. with sherry or wine, for instance) or having been used for the initial maturation of a spirit or alcohol (bourbon, true old sherry, wine…) is rich in flavours and tannins. It imparts robust and intense notes like vanilla, caramel, fruitiness, or spice to the whisky, depending on the type of wood (American oak or European oak, for instance) and what it held old before (sherry, wine, bourbon…) These are often highly sought after.
- Second-fill or refill casks: A cask used for the second or third time releases softer, subtler flavours. The influence of the wood and any previous seasoning diminishes with each fill, allowing more of the spirit’s natural character to shine through.
- Third fill and beyond: These casks may impart minimal flavours, often referred to as ‘neutral’ casks. They can provide a long, gentle maturation, allowing delicate nuances in the spirit to develop over time without overwhelming wood influence.
It also has an importance on the ‘maturation speed’: First-fill casks can mature whisky more quickly due to the abundance of extractable compounds in the wood, whilst refill casks are often used for long-term ageing because they mellow the whisky slowly and allow it to evolve without becoming overly dominated by the wood.
The number of fills helps determine the balance between wood influence and spirit character. First-fill casks add bold, impactful flavours, while refill casks allow subtler, more complex interactions to develop over time.
It’s also a blender’s tool, as whisky makers often use a combination of first-fill and refill casks to create complexity. First-fill casks can add richness, while refill casks can preserve delicate distillery character, offering the blender more flexibility to craft a harmonious final product.
The type of cask (e.g. ex-bourbon, sherry, port) works in tandem with the fill level. For example, a first-fill sherry cask can impart intense dried fruit and nutty flavours, while a refill sherry cask may offer a lighter, more restrained sherry influence, enhancing complexity over longer maturation.
In summary, the number of fills determines how much influence the cask has on the whisky and shapes the balance between wood-derived flavors and the spirit’s original profile. Master distillers and blenders carefully select cask fills based on their desired outcome for each expression.
Glenfarclas 1979 The Family Casks (2018) Review
We begin with a Glenfarclas distilled in 1979 and bottled on the 2nd of July 2018. This whisky spent its maturation in a fourth-fill hogshead (cask #8796), producing just 211 bottles at a natural cask strength of 49.4% ABV. Unsurprisingly, it’s long sold out, and your best chance of finding a bottle now is through the secondary market, likely with a significant premium attached.
Colour:
Deep copper.
Nose:
Neat: A delightful medley of tropical fruits takes the lead – mango, guava, pineapple, and lychee – accompanied by ripe apricots and a drizzle of honey. There’s a subtle waxy character, with notes of candle wax and beeswax adding texture. The fourth-fill cask beautifully highlights the spirit’s elegance, revealing layers of white peach, barley, hay, and fresh grist. Biscuity undertones emerge, with soft whispers of pepper, zesty lemon, and a refreshing touch of menthol. Stunningly delicate and intricate.
Palate:
Neat: The waxy texture carries seamlessly onto the palate, delivering a luxurious mouthfeel. It opens with vibrant summer fruits – lemon, papaya, mango, and passion fruit – bringing a lively sweetness. Subtle notes of cocoa, a dash of pepper, and a hint of Tabasco add complexity and warmth. As it evolves, the wood gently emerges, a soft reminder of the whisky’s maturation. Mineral nuances, a touch of camphor, and dried herbs round out the experience with a refined and layered finish.
Finish:
The fruity vibrancy continues into the finish, with tropical fruit jelly adding a luscious sweetness. Layers of waxes, honey, and delicate floral notes weave together beautifully, complemented by subtle hints of vanilla. A lingering and harmonious conclusion.
Comments:
Absolutely stunning! The tropical fruits take centre stage, shining brilliantly across the nose, palate, and finish. This whisky is a perfect showcase of what Glenfarclas can achieve with patience, minimal cask influence, and the natural softening brought by time and the angel’s share. An exceptional way to kick off some birthday dramming!
Rating: 9/10
Glenfarclas 1967 The Family Casks (2015) Review
Next up, we have a Glenfarclas 1967, aged in a sherry butt (#6359), and bottled on December 1, 2014, with a release in Spring 2015. This remarkable whisky yielded just 461 bottles at a robust 52% ABV, making it an impressive offering, especially considering it’s likely around 47 years old.
Colour:
Darker than old oak, but not brown like old sherry. (See the whisky colour scale here)
Nose:
Neat: The influence of the sherry cask is unmistakable in this Glenfarclas. Rich balsamic vinegar, prunes, and raisins intertwine with notes of blond tobacco, a hint of cinnamon roll pastry, and rancio. Polished wood, honeycomb candy, and a touch of demerara sugar.
With water: A more rustic profile emerges, with old leather and the musty scent of dusty bookshelves, adding a nice layer of complexity.
Palate:
Neat: The sherry influence is just as prominent on the palate, with rich prunes, figs, and dates alongside dark berries. Notes of old leather and polished wood are followed by a touch of cinnamon. Dark and bitter chocolate, hazelnuts, orange peel, and liquorice.
With water: The sweetness of demerara sugar comes forward, complemented by the bright tang of blood oranges and a hint of grapefruit. The dark chocolate softens, becoming less bitter.
Finish:
The finish is dry and chalky, with lingering notes of bitter chocolate, hazelnuts, and dark berries. Subtle hints of eucalyptus and a gentle, peppery woodiness remain, carrying on for quite some time.
Comments:
The sherry influence is massive, unapologetically bold, yet done with finesse. It’s a rich, old-style sherry profile – perhaps a bit overwhelming for my personal preference – but this Glenfarclas 1967 is undoubtedly a splendid whisky.
Rating: 8.5/10
Glenfarclas 1957 The Family Casks (2007) Review
Last but certainly not least, we wrap up this birthday session with a Glenfarclas distilled in 1957 and bottled on October 10, 2007, after 50 years in a sherry hogshead. While there’s no information on the fill level, the rich color suggests it was likely a first fill. Cask #2115 yielded just 116 bottles at a refined 46.5% ABV.
Colour:
Treacle.
Nose:
Neat: A distinctive dunnage warehouse aroma leads the way, mingling with treacle, dates, figs, and prunes. Dark cherries add a rich sweetness, while balsamic vinegar and soy sauce introduce a savory depth. There’s also a hint of cigar leaves, herbal liqueur, pine, and cedar wood, along with moss and a touch of eucalyptus.
Palate:
Neat: The palate begins with a hint of sweetness, but quickly shifts to a slightly sour, ‘dark’ character, reminiscent of aged herbal liqueurs. Dark chocolate, resins, and camphor emerge, balanced by the bright zing of ginger, kumquat, and orange marmalade with candied orange peel. Dark cherries and espresso, the subtle notes of Pinot noir winey qualities and soy sauce umami. Cinnamon and cardamom spice things up further. The mouthfeel is heavy and thick, much like that of an old red wine.
Finish:
The finish is endless, entirely and beautifully sherry-driven. Cherries in chocolate, with a touch of liquor, linger delicately, complemented by soft wood spices and a refreshing note of unsweetened mint tea.
Comments:
I expected this Glenfarclas to be similar to the 1967, given it’s from a sherry hogshead and slightly older, but they’re actually quite different. While the sherry influence is still prominent, this whisky maintains a bright character, with an explosion of aromas and flavours spanning sweetness, dryness, spice, umami, and more. The ABV and mouthfeel are spot on, creating a truly balanced and engaging experience.
