"We could not think otherwise, but Han van Wees selected a great cask to celebrate the honour of becoming Master of the Quaich"
(Photo from Whiskybase)
In March 2018, 86-year-old whisky pioneer Han van Wees was the third person in the Netherlands to be honoured in Blair Castle as Master of the Quaich. To celebrate this completely deserved occasion he selected a special cask from Glenfarclas, for which they also are the Dutch distributer. Unsurprisingly, this comes from a first-fill sherry cask that was filled in 2009.
Nose
Intense, deep, with red fruits, old woods, dusty dried fruits and winter spices. I get the feeling that we have here a fierce and edgy battle between the aforementioned scents. Each time I put my nose above the glass, it seems another one appears victorious. Maybe water might cool things down. (Two small spoons of water later) I get a much more harmonious while of dried plums, strong mint tea, incense, freshly varnished furniture, cranberry compote, gooseberry jam, and clear hints of rose jam, It develops very nicely with an obvious floral and fruity side. Lillies, lilacs, roses, combines with old calvados, and goose berries, black berries and cranberries. Lovely nose!
Taste
A burning sensation in my mouth, which does not leave much room for distinguishing particular tasted otherwise than sherry, wood and spices. We are going to need water to learn the details. After the woody tastes resides, there are sappy druid plums, dried cranberries, raisins, followed by cinnamon, cardamon and star anise. The complexity does not reach the level of the nose, but it is direct and very effective. The aftertaste is medium long and fairly dry.
Overall
As expected, we have here a well selected cask with much to offer for any sherried whisky aficionado. It does needs some water to open up, and prefer the nose to the palate. Otherwise, great whisky. Cheers, Han!
- Review 2019-020
- Single malt
- Glenfarclas
- Glenfarclas (Family Casks)
- 2009
- Bottled 2018
- First fill sherry hogshead (#2777)
- Natural colour
- Non-chill filtered
- 59.6
- 327 bottles
- ±155-160
- Not available anymore
- Whiskybase #118645
What others say
Big thanks to for sharing the sample!
Scores
• these are my personal views, so do not take them too seriously… nothing beats tasting these for yourself •
- Dried plums
- Gooseberry jam
- Wood spices