Glenfarclas 23yo 2003 Cadenhead’s Authentic Collection July 2026 & Glasgow 10yo 2015 Cadenhead’s Authentic Collection July 2026

Glenfarclas 23yo 2003 Cadenhead’s Authentic Collection July 2026

Region: Speyside

ABV: 51.6%

Price: £160.00

Distilled at Glenfarclas in 2003, this single malt was transferred into a red-wine hogshead in 2019 and bottled by Cadenhead’s in July 2026 after 23 years of maturation. The single cask produced 228 bottles. 

Nose

The nose opens with underripe strawberries, rosewater, lime zest, and a little artificial sweetness - it feels like those strawberries are now a bit more reminiscent of strawberry laces. We're also finding honey nut cheerios and barley malt. There's also a bit of cinnamon spice appearing after more time in the glass. The alcohol is a little peppery but not too punchy. Time and air mellows it slightly, we're getting more vanilla and peach coming through. 

Palate

The palate opens with a nice fizziness, lots of lemon and lime, moving into some light chocolate and malt notes, honey, redcurrant jelly and mild caramel too. The same pepperiness that appeared on the nose continues through to the palate, it's got a fair bit of spice - not overwhelming though. The finish has a lot more strawberry flavour, a little bit like strawberries and cream. The mouthfeel is decent, there's some texture here, and it's quite punchy in the flavour department. 

Nose (with water)

The reduced nose gets a little funkier, it's now fermented strawberries, some apricot, actually it's got a bit of a Sauternes-like character now. We're also getting a little melon, mixed with icing sugar and even a little kiwi. 

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate has a bit more honey coming through, richer, with chocolate and milky coffee notes. There's still some acidity, but a lot of those red fruits have disappeared, and more dried spices have appeared. Personally we prefer the fresher pre-dilution version.

Conclusion

Really solid red wine matured Glenfarclas. We were a bit worried about a 6-7 year additional maturation imparting a mouth-numbing tannic profile, but it managed to avoid this, instead adding only the gentle fruitiness of the wine. A little hot for the age, but really good whisky.

Score: 7.5/10

Value

Good price for aged Glenfarclas.

Glasgow 10yo 2015 Cadenhead’s Authentic Collection July 2026

Region: Lowlands

ABV: 55.2%

Price: £65.00

Distilled at Glasgow Distillery in 2015, this Lowland single malt was re-racked into a Manzanilla sherry hogshead in 2022 and bottled by Cadenhead’s in July 2026 after 10 years of maturation. Outturn of 252 bottles.

Nose

The nose opens with yellow apple, honey roasted cashews, buttercream frosting, icing sugar and a little mushy pear. It's very sweet, almost too sweet, but there's some brown bread and appletizer coming through to provide some balance. The alcohol is really well integrated, no kick whatsoever. Time and air softens the sweetness and we get a little more sawn oak, gooseberries and watermelon liqueur. 

Palate

The palate opens with honey, toasted almonds, marzipan, vanilla cream, lemon curd and a little sponge cake. The alcohol is a bit more apparent on the palate, ginger spice and a little crushed black peppercorns. There's also apricot jam and some salted caramel flavours coming through. The mouthfeel is good, it's got some oiliness to it, and there's a little sesame and cherry coming through too. Going back, there's some blueberries and more salinity coming through as the dram opens up. 

Nose (with water)

The reduced nose is more honeyed, a little nuttier and those salted caramel aromas are more pronounced. There's still a bit of fruit in the background but it's definitely richer and more sherry-forward. 

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate loses a bit of texture, but some melon and pear notes begin to appear. The finish becomes a little bitter, some charred wood and rye-like spice, more aniseed-like too. We'd be careful when adding water to this one.

Conclusion

Super sweet on the nose, more restrained on the palate. Quite a lot of interesting flavours intermingling with a bit of alcohol spice. There's a decent amount of Manzanilla influence, mostly coming through in the salty tinge and some of those nuttier flavours, but there's a nice /pirit character behind it too. Solid whisky.

Score: 7.5/10

Value

You will struggle to find a 10yo cask strength release from the distillery cheaper than this.

• 10 - Perfection. One in a million
• 9 - Outstanding. Exceptional whisky.
• 8 - Great. Would seek this out.
• 7 - Good. Quality whisky.
• 6 - Above average. Happy to have a dram.
• 5 - Average. Drinkable whisky.
• 4 - Below average. Passable.
• 3 - Flawed. Noticeable negatives.
• 2 - Defective. Significant faults.
• 1 - Offensive. Pour it out.

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