New Release: Glenfarclas 1989-2016 26 Year Old Official Main Malt & Campbeltown Loch #13009 52.3%

Thank you for bringing it to Japan. I'm deeply moved. Glenfarclas GLENFARCLAS 1989-2016 26yo OB for Bar Main Malt & BAR CAMPBELTOUN LOCH #13009 52.3% The aroma is a pleasant, strong sherry with a rich, mixed dried fruits including raisins, grape skins and faint grape juice, notable premium chocolate, mint, caramel sauce, a noble woody character reminiscent of antique furniture, faint leather and herbs, with a gentle barley note in the background, rich. When drinking, it starts with a smooth mouthfeel that expands into a rich aroma of grape skins and premium chocolate, a fruity sweetness with freshness balanced by the tannins from grape skins, pleasant woody character, herbs including mint, a touch of earthiness and leather, rich with a long, pleasant finish. [Very Good/Excellent] This is a single cask Glenfarclas 1989, aged for 26 years, bottled exclusively for Bar Main Malt (Kobe Sanmachi) and BAR CAMPBELTOUN LOCH (Yurakucho), released at the end of 2016. During a visit to Glenfarclas Distillery in 2015 for whiskey procurement, this cask stood out among many tasted, impressing even the distillery staff with its overwhelming presence. While of exceptional quality, due to a large number of bottles in the cask, it wasn't released through the usual distribution channels at Whisky FOO, but rather as a special bottling for the two bars mentioned above. Thus, only one bottle entered Japan, and it was subsequently sold to the general public through liquor stores. From the start, I was overwhelmed by its exceptional sherry character. In addition to the typical recent sherry flavors, I sensed nuances reminiscent of older sherry casks with aging character. Yet it's rich without being overpowering. The aroma includes concentrated dried fruits like raisins, with hints of grape juice and grape skins, along with a strong note of my favorite premium chocolate. The woody character has depth and sophistication, complex with a faint sense of intoxication. When drinking, the grape fruitiness and premium bitter chocolate notes are as strong as in the aroma but feel more refreshing. The balance between rich sweetness and tannic astringency is exquisite, with the deep woody character adding earthy nuances and polished leather, making it extremely rich and complex. Among recent sherry cask bottlings, this is one of the finest bottles I've encountered. According to my perception, official bottlings that have been extremely delicious as new releases include the Drogher 71/72 (only tried early versions), Glen Garioch 25, and this Glenfarclas 89. As I wrote in my recent article, recent sherry casks don't quite reach the level of older ones compared to bourbon casks, making it difficult to see a clear future direction. There was some resignation in that realization, but drinking such a sherry cask always brightens my mood. Though released at the end of last year, this is a worthy first bottle for 2024. However, upon reflection, until a few years ago most delicious new releases were high-quality bourbon casks. Recently, however, there's been a sudden increase in quality sherry casks. I believe this is due to the good times of the boom, leading to more quality casks being produced, and many barrels reaching their prime drinking period.