Glenfarklas whiskey is a successful family business product. It has been made according to a traditional recipe for almost two hundred years. This drink is a single-malt whiskey of excellent quality, which is confirmed by numerous awards. Due to its strong endurance and unique taste characteristics, it has fans around the world. We will talk in detail about the types and taste of whiskey in this article.
A brief excursion into history
The history of the famous alcoholic beverage from Scotland began at the beginning of the 19th century, when it was founded by a man named Robert Khaym. Then the distillery was bought by John Grant, who leased it. After the tenants leave, the Grant family decides to engage in the production of whiskey on their own.
Soon, John Grant, together with his son George, released his first whiskey. Unfortunately, they both died a few years after the aforementioned event. Then the sons of George had to make a drink. Thus, the second generation of the family began to make whiskey, precisely following the composition and recipe.
The decline of the distillery
By the end of the XIX century, the Grant family owned a well-established business, but, unfortunately, the main company that was engaged in the sale of finished products, suddenly went bankrupt. Many distilleries began to close, but the Grant family decided to take control of the entire production and marketing cycle of Glenfarklas.
For the implementation of bold plans, considerable financial injections were needed, so it was decided to sell the store, which was located in the west of Scotland, in the city of Glasgow.
Brand development
When the Grants themselves began to establish sales channels for finished products, things did not go well. In almost two months, only about twelve bottles were sold. So John sent his son George to Canada. There, in the capital of the country, with the help of family ties, the first office of the company was opened abroad. After this event, things in the alcohol business improved.
Charles Gordon - John's son-in-law, went to Asia and then to Europe. The main purpose of this trip was to establish channels for marketing finished products under the brand name of the Grant family. The results were fruitful. With Charles’s help, the family managed to open more than sixty sales offices in thirty countries around the world.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the famous distillery was modernized, namely, electricity was carried out, new ones were built and old production facilities were restored. And also increased the number of cubes for distillation of the drink. Their number has reached six.
Currently, the appearance of the enterprise has not undergone significant changes, as well as the excellent quality of the final product. The Grant family continues to adhere to vintage whiskey technology and recipes.
Secrets of making a drink
The world famous whiskey producing company Glenfarklas is located in the north of Scotland. It is conveniently located at the foot of the mountain, which is located in the valley of the river Spey, and more precisely, at its tributary - the river Fiddick. At the foot of the mountain there is a spring, the water of which is used to make an alcoholic drink of this brand.
The distillery is equipped with some of the most high-tech wort distillation apparatus, which allows the separation of light and heavy alcohols. And also another unusual fact is the use of open flame gas burners for distillation of alcohols. All manufacturers of whiskey abandoned this ancient method, since it is complex and energy-intensive. At present, other enterprises use steam heating of distillation cubes to obtain distillate.
The Grant family enthusiastically adheres to traditions, so still their signature drink is aged in oak barrels. They buy kegs from fortified sherry wine, which gives the final product a beautiful color, sweet taste and spicy aroma.
Taste characteristics
Glenfarklas whiskey, depending on the type of drink, has a palette of colors from golden yellow to dark amber. And also the aroma depends on the age of the alcoholic beverage. For example, a young whiskey has a slight smell, in which notes of smoke are clearly distinguishable, but the older the drink, the more distinct and brighter the aroma is felt. Smells of peat and freshly skinned appear in it.
The taste of the drink is largely due to its unique shade of special aging technology, which uses oak barrels from fortified wine. Thanks to this approach, the taste of whiskey feels light and incomparable sweetish aftertaste, which is supported by a fruity-floral aftertaste.
Types of whiskey
The line of products of this brand of whiskey is simple and elegant. The range of finished products is small, but due to its historical development, the company quickly adapts to market demand. The most popular types of drinks are presented below.
Glenfarklas Heritage whiskey is the most affordable and youngest drink from the entire product line. It has a light straw color and a light fruity-spicy aroma. The taste of whiskey felt notes of iris and fruit.
Whiskey "Glenfarklas 10 years" has a golden color and rich aroma with notes of sherry, honey and spices. The taste is spicy with hints of dried fruit and vanilla, a light smoked flavor is felt.
Whiskey "Glenfarklas 12 years" has a taste of notes of fruit, oak and fortified wine, with a similar aroma in which notes of smoke clearly appear. According to experts, this drink is ideal for exploring the products of this distillery. Numerous reviews of Glenfarklas 12 years old whiskey confirm the original taste of this drink and its constant quality. And also he was once called the "Best Sherry Whiskey."
Whiskey "Glenfarklas 15 years" has a rich amber color. The aroma felt notes of dried fruit and iris. The taste characteristics are spicy and peaty notes with a touch of smoke. The aftertaste of the drink is very pleasant and long. It can be described as warming and sweet.
Whiskey "Glenfarklas 25 years" has a touch of dark amber. The aroma is represented by a complex combination of marmalade notes, strong coffee and nuts. The taste characteristics are dominated by wine and wood tones with smoky notes.
Whiskey "Glenfarklas 30 years" has a shade of dark gold. In the aroma of the drink, the presence of sherry is felt along with fruity notes. The taste characteristics are felt fruit and nut tones. The aftertaste of whiskey is long, notes of chocolate and coffee beans clearly appear.
Whiskey "Glenfarklas 105"
This whiskey was released in the amount of four thousand bottles as a Christmas release. The drink has a rich copper color, and its strength reaches sixty degrees. The aroma of whiskey contains sweet notes of sugar, dark chocolate and figs. Taste characteristics are rich, but reveal slowly. The taste of dark chocolate, strong coffee and brandy is clearly felt. The finish is unexpectedly soft and warming.
Whiskey "Glenfarklas": reviews
This alcoholic product has many fans around the world. All of them note the unusual sweetish taste of whiskey and a spicy aroma. And also the drink has a rich historical past, thanks to which its quality has remained at a high level for almost two hundred years. Thus, the Grant family created a unique drink, strictly observing established traditions and without changing the manufacturing technology.
Whiskey of this brand continues to delight its fans with quality and taste, and also does not cease to conquer new markets.
Consumer culture
Connoisseurs and experts advise to use whiskey in its pure form in order to fully appreciate the taste range and enjoy the aroma. Some of them believe that ice also spoils the taste of the drink, so it is better to use special stones for whiskey. Glenfarklas whiskey is perfect for a digestif, and a good cigar will only emphasize its unique sweet taste and spicy aroma.
If you still decide to have a cocktail party or to please loved ones and relax with a glass of light dessert drink, then Glenfarklas 8 years is best for this purpose. It is worth noting that the best and simplest ingredients for this are cola or coffee. And there are also a lot of options for cocktails based on whiskey, namely: "Manhattan", "Apple whiskey", "Creamy whiskey" and many others.