I’ve been a lurker for a few months and have greatly enjoyed my time here and in the other whisk(e)y subs. I see a lot of new reviewers lately so I figured it was time to join the fun and add my voice to the chorus.

I’m new to whisky in general as of 2015, and this is only the second non-peated scotch I’ve had. My first was a common beginner’s scotch - Glenfiddich 12. I honestly wasn’t overly impressed with it, and wanted something a little more full-bodied for my next bottle. After a bit of research I settled on this bottle of Glenfarclas 12. Because I’m so new, my vocabulary is still limited; my notes are the best way I currently know how to describe my senses, but I expect with time and experience I will be able to pick out more nuances and get better at describing them.

Glenfarclas 12, Speyside Single Malt, ABV 43%, ~$40 in NH, USA

Color: Honey. I don’t believe any coloring has been added, so it’s what you would expect from a 12-yr old. Nose: Big and fruity. I get plums and other juicy fruits; honey, malt. It’s already more full-bodied than the Glenfiddich 12. Unfortunately I also occasionally get faint traces of something sulfuric that I don’t find pleasant. Palate: Big, sweet and creamy in the mouth. I wanted a richer dram, and I got it. Plums again, vanilla, and mild pepper and spice. It’s almost too syrupy sweet however, and I can’t shake the sulfur that I detect on the nose. Finish: Not overly long, leaving faint traces of malt and spices. Score: 80/100 Scoring Chart

Overall: I was looking for a bolder scotch for my next non-peated single malt and this delivered. It packs a big sweet juicy punch, but leaves me longing for a bit more balance. I liked it, but definitely did not love it. I probably won't buy another bottle of this, but I have not written the distillery off and would consider trying some of their other expressions.

Interestingly, I would occasionally take sips straight out of the bottle, and this is when I enjoyed it the most.