Last Updated on: 8th April 2024, 06:30 pm
J Highland
J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as a spirits distiller.
Discover the differences between Glenfarclas 17 vs Glenfarclas 21 in this in-depth comparison and decide which Single Malt is better for You!
Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.
Written by: J Highland
Glenfarclas 17 vs Glenfarclas 21: Comparison
Glenfarclas 17: Features rich dark fruit and baking spice on the nose, with a palate of berries, plum, and oak. Medium finish with malt and caramel. Offers rich sherry-cask flavor at a good value.
Glenfarclas 21: Delivers baking spice and dried fruit notes, with a palate of orange and dark chocolate. Medium finish with dried fruit and chocolate. Well-balanced and elegant for its age.
Verdict: Both Glenfarclas 17 and Glenfarclas 21 showcase the distillery’s mastery in sherry-cask aging, offering distinct but equally rewarding experiences. The 17 provides a rich fruit character, while the 21 offers a refined balance, making both excellent choices for Speyside whisky enthusiasts, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.
Related: Glenfarclas Best Whisky Choices
Glenfarclas 17: A Sherry-Cask Aged Whisky with Rich Fruit Character
- Nose: Dark fruit, banana, pineapple, baking spice
- Palate: Dark berries, plum, apricot, walnut, oak
- Finish: Medium, malt, caramel, oak
- Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
- Similar to: Glenfarclas 15
Glenfarclas 17 is a 17-year-old Speyside single malt Scotch whisky matured in ex-oloroso sherry casks. This maturation process grants the whisky a rich and inviting profile, marked by dark fruit notes and a touch of baking spice.
Tasting Notes:
- Nose: Rich dark fruit with hints of banana, pineapple, and baking spice.
- Palate: Oily texture with flavors of dark berries, plum, apricot, walnut, and oak.
- Finish: Moderately short, featuring malt, caramel, oak spice, and a touch of balanced heat.
Enjoyable and Value-Driven:
Glenfarclas 17 offers an enjoyable and satisfying drinking experience, particularly for the price point. While not the most complex expression compared to some 18-year-old whiskies, it delivers a robust character with rich fruit notes.
Award-Winning and Well-Priced:
This expression has received recognition, earning Silver at the 2019 International Spirits Challenge. Its affordability coupled with its flavor profile makes Glenfarclas 17 a great value choice for those seeking a rich and enjoyable Speyside whisky.
Glenfarclas 21: A Well-Balanced Sherry-Cask Aged Single Malt
- Nose: Baking spice, dried fruit, vanilla
- Palate: Orange, apple, dark chocolate
- Finish: Medium, dried fruit, chocolate, oak spice
- Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
- Similar to: Glenfarclas 25
Glenfarclas 21 is a 21-year-old Speyside single malt Scotch whisky matured exclusively in European oak ex-oloroso sherry casks. This maturation process imbues the whisky with a distinct autumnal character, featuring notes of baking spice, red fruit, and vanilla.
Tasting Notes:
- Nose: Rich with baking spice, red fruit, and vanilla hints.
- Palate: Oily mouthfeel with a slightly warming entry that mellows out, offering flavors of orange, baked apple, and dark chocolate with emerging oak spice.
- Finish: Medium-length, slightly dry, with lingering notes of dried fruit, dark chocolate, and oak spice.
Elegant and Balanced:
While not the most complex or memorable, Glenfarclas 21 presents a well-balanced and elegant drinking experience for its price point. It offers a pleasant exploration of autumnal flavors for those seeking a smooth and approachable Speyside whisky.
Compared to the 25-Year-Old:
While Glenfarclas 21 is enjoyable, the brand’s 25-year-old expression is known to be significantly better, showcasing the additional depth and complexity that comes with extended maturation.
Glenfarclas 21: The Facts
- Aged 21 years in ex-oloroso sherry casks.
- Primarily uses first and second-fill casks, with some third and fourth-fill casks included.
- Awarded Silver at the 2014 International Wine & Spirit Competition.
Price comparison
Prices are approximate and stated in USD:
| Whisky | Price |
| Glenfarclas 17 | $120 |
| Glenfarclas 21 | $160 |