Glenfarclas 1977, J. & G. Grant Proprietors, Exclusive for The Whiskey Hoop, Plain Hogshead Cask No. 8203, 47.1% abv.

Nose: sour grapes, a type of seasoning that is very sharp, uncomfortable, more towards Chinese medicine, black peppers, going towards melon in the background but insignificant to the overall experience. At a distance its all apples and grapes, quite sweet, heavily flavored.

Palate: quite spicey, initial palate is sour, mid palate has old pears, some seasoning, more of a low level flavor profile with added spice, back palate is very hot wood, vanilla, some smoke later on, but this diminishes with time.

Finish: vanilla that dissipates quite quickly, wood remains, but then the vanilla comes back, quite intense.

Although it's not an infamous sherry cask, it hold its own at < 50% abv. Several reviewers and bartenders don't seem to have many kind words for this bottling, but I think it is quite potent. The flavors are there, although not very pronounced, with a sprinkle of side-flavors all over and extremely unbalanced. Perhaps it's too intense, which is why tasters have a hard time interpreting it? I don't think I know what happened either to be honest.

Grade: B

Couldn't find quantifiable, reliable reviews.

Image courtesy of Eric Yee.

Eric Yee

🇭🇰 🇺🇸(LA, SF) -> 🇯🇵 (京都, 東京) -> 🇰🇷 (서울, 부산)