August in Speyside can be a rather wet experience. As with anywhere in Scotland, it is far from guaranteed to have sunshine. It was on one such typical dreich day last week that I found myself sheltering under a brolly in Granton-on-Spey wondering how to spend a rather damp morning before a friend's wedding that afternoon. Of course the obvious thing to do in Speyside, in the rain, is to go distillery bagging.

Having already visited Cardhu a few months earlier I decided to try nearby Cragganmore and after following a rather slow procession of holiday makers up the A95 I turned off the main road and found myself winding down a verdant, lush lane to the distillery. Needless to say, it was shut. Whoever decides to close a visitor centre on a weekend at the height of tourist season is a braver man than I. However, Cragganmore's loss was to be Glenfarclas' gain. I've often driven past the sign for Glenfarclas but sadly never had time to stop, so I pushed on a bit further up the A95.

The Glenfarclass distillery has a little bit of an industrial feel to it and is not as quaint or romantic as some others, however the back drop of Ben Rinnes makes a fantastic setting. Sadly I didn't have time to do the statutory tour, but as a consolation I picked up a bottle of Glenfarclas 105 from the gift shop (the real reason for dropping by).

The 105 is a belter of a malt! It's a 10 year old, matured in sherry casks and bottled unchillfiltered at cask strength (60%). The colour is deep and golden, with a nose of fruity Christmas pudding and after the addition of a drop of water you also get a hint of smoky woodiness. The taste has a rich spiciness on the sides of the tongue that is well balanced by the sweet sherry. The sweetness continues into a long finish that is warming and rounded. It tastes like liquid Christmas, perfect for a cold December evening or a wet August morning.

Royal Mile Whiskies £33.95
The Drink Shop £41.89
The Whisky Exchange £35.99

Glenfarclas Distillery Location