Glenfarclas 17, 43% ABV, $130 CAD
- Nose: Red plums, oak, fresh floral, citrus, lemon peel, Smuckers strawberry jam.
- Taste: Plums, bitter chocolate, chocolate orange, raisins, malt, coffee, and a slight spicyness.
- Finish: Medium, good viscosity, coffee and chocolate notes linger.
- Thoughts: It’s bold and fresh at the same time, juicy, with good complexity. Other than the 25 year, this is my favorite expression from the core range. Better than the 21 IMO, and great value.
- Score: 88 + 1.5 value point(s) = 89.5/100
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Scores:
After my initial score I add or subtract points relative on how I perceive value (based on what I paid for the bottle). A zero value means I think the price is justified.
0-69.5 – Don’t bother trying, life is too short for bad spirit.
70-79.5 – Worth trying, but you’re not missing out if you don’t.
80-84.5 – I recommend trying.
85-87.5 – Definitely try this!
88-92.5 – I recommend buying a bottle blind!
93-95.5 – Stuff you reserve for special pours!
96+ – The meaning of life.

My previous scores (including value points):
Ardbeg 10 88.5
Ardbeg Corryvrickan 92.5
Ardbeg Kelpie 91.5
Ardbeg Uigeadail 91.0
Balvenie 15 Single Barrel – Sherry 89.0
Blanton’s Gold 87.0
Booker’s (2015-01) 89.5
Bowmore 12 84.5
Bruichladdich Octomore 6.1 92.0
Bruichladdich Octomore 6.3 94.0
Bruichladdich Octomore 7.1 89.5
Bruichladdich Octomore 7.3 90.5
Canadian Club 40 85.0
Caol Ila 12 82.0
Compass Box – Peat Monster 85.5
Eagle Rare 10 85.0
Elmer T. Lee 87.0
Glendronach 12 Original 83.0
Glendronach 15 Revival 92.0
Glendroanch 18 Allardice 90.5
Glendronach 21 Parliament 91.0
Glenfarclas 17 89.5
Glenfarclas 25 93.5
Highland Park 15 87.5
Highland Park 25 92.0
Jack Daniel’s SB-BP (16-0574) 89.0
Kavalan Solist – Ex-Bourbon (57.8) 87.5
Kavalan Solist – Ex-Bourbon (KavaFan) 93.0
Kavalan Solist – Sherry Cask (58.7%) 90.5
Kavalan Solist – Vinho Barrique (57%) 89.5
Lagavulin 16 90.0
Laphroaig 10 85.5
Laphroaig Cairdeas Madeira 2016 88.5
Lot No. 40 88.0
Lot No. 40 Cask Strength 12yr 91.5
Macallan 12 Double Cask 79.0
Macallan 12 Fine Oak 84.0
Macallan 17 Fine Oak 87.0
Macallan 18 Fine Oak 85.0
Macallan 10 Sherry 83.0
Macallan 12 Sherry 88.0
Macallan 18 Sherry (1997) 92.5
Macallan Edition 2 90.0
Orphan Barrel – Barterhouse 88.5
Pappy Van Winkle 23yr 93.5
Sazerac Rye 88.5
Stagg Jr. (Batch 4) 83.0
Talisker 25 89.0
W.L. Weller 12 88.0