Description

Glenfarclas 2011 Aged 11 Years Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Cask Series 022 By North Star (700ml)

Volume: 700ml           ABV: 56.5%           Age: 11 Years Old       Country: Scotland

Cask Number: Batch 22
Date of Distilling: October 2011
Date of Bottling: April 2023
Matured In: A Single Oloroso Sherry Butt
Un-Chillfiltered

The Whisky

Experience a rare “forbidden” bottling with the Glenfarclas 2011 11 Year Old North Star (Cask Series 022). Distilled in October 2011 and bottled in April 2023, this 700ml single malt is an exceptional find from independent bottler North Star Spirits. Matured for 11 years in a single Oloroso Sherry Butt, it is presented at a formidable cask strength of 56.5% ABV, with only 402 bottles produced.

This release is a true collector’s item; Glenfarclas is notoriously protective of its brand name, and it is increasingly rare to see their name featured on an independent label. This “named” edition offers a “raw” version of the classic Glenfarclas profile that is usually reserved for the distillery’s own ultra-premium Family Casks. Non-chill filtered and natural in colour, it presents the unadulterated power of direct fired Speyside spirit.

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: Rich, aromatic, and deeply festive. You are greeted by the scent of freshly baked sponge cake and blonde toffee, followed by jammy dodgers and vanilla shortbread. As it opens, deeper notes of caramelised pecans, red apples, and milk chocolate emerge, with a sophisticated hint of Christmas cake spice.

Palate: The arrival is punchy and unctuous. It delivers a concentrated burst of ripe green apples and summer pudding, which transitions into a mid-palate of dark red fruits (blackberries and cherries) and chocolate anglaise. The 56.5% ABV carries a warming spice of ginger, nutmeg, and cloves, balanced by a savoury, nutty depth of roasted walnuts.

Finish: Long, creamy, and evolving. The finish lingers with creamy espresso and chocolate fondue, finally tapering off with a final, refreshing lift of tropical fruits and soft oak spices.

The Distillery

Glenfarclas, located in the heart of Speyside near Ballindalloch, is one of the few remaining family owned distilleries in Scotland, led by the Grant family since 1865. They are legendary for their commitment to traditional methods, including the use of direct fired stills—a practice most distilleries have abandoned in favor of steam coils. A unique factual detail: The direct fire creates “hot spots” in the stills that caramelise the sugars in the wash, contributing to the heavy, robust, and slightly “singed” character that makes Glenfarclas spirit so famous. When paired with a single Oloroso butt like this one, the result is a massive, multi-dimensional Speysider.

Overall Review

The Glenfarclas 2011 11 Year Old North Star is globally reviewed as a “cracking independent bottling,” praised for showing a more distillate-forward side of Glenfarclas than the official 105 or 15 year old expressions. Critics have lauded its “punchy sherry integration and oily texture,” marking it as a mandatory purchase for fans of “old school” sherried malts and those who enjoy owning a piece of rare, independently bottled history.