Tasting notes·Farny Destillerie
Falken 5 Years (2022)
Falken 5 Years (2022) is a German single malt from Farny Destillerie with 43% ABV, whose profile is strongly shaped by the idea of a “lager finish”: six months of alpine summering on the Falkenalpe are intended to bring topography and climate into the cask and ultimately into the glass. It matures for a total of five years in the distillery's casks and presents itself as a rather mild, unexcited representative with a regional mountain backdrop in tow – whether that is great alpine air or rather alpine marketing is something the glass may answer.
The panel
Mean 67.5 · spread 5
Value for money 3/5
- Distillery
- Farny Destillerie
- Type
- Single Malt
- Country
- Germany
- Age
- 5 years
- Strength
- 43% ABV
- Character
- mellow
Tasting
Nose
On the nose, the whisky initially comes across as rather thin, so no storm of aromas with bagpipes and a fog machine. There are light notes of vanilla and caramel, plus a bit of herbal spice and a gentle maltiness. Green apple adds a fresh accent, but overall it still moves along on quiet feet.
Palate
On the palate, it starts out sweetish with some oak and at times is reminiscent of Toffifee, which initially knocks in quite charmingly. The light maltiness from the nose reappears, accompanied by sage and a certain creaminess. Then the profile veers off in a more idiosyncratic direction, because a soapy note joins in – and that has about as much charm as wet hotel soap in your carry-on luggage.
Finish
The finish is rather short and brings bitterness with it. In addition, there is a slightly metallic note and some nutmeg. A light sweetness does linger, but it cannot quite catch the somewhat unpleasant aftertaste.
Verdicts
Marcel
Rather uneventful: For five years, that's okay, but it's also not a glass that carves mountain peaks into your brain. The story about maturation at around 1500 meters feels more like a story than a sensory thunderclap to me, and the metallic finish noticeably drags down the overall impression. For the asking price, I've already had better quality in the glass.
Sascha
It is nicely mild, and the combination of sweet and herbal notes certainly has something distinctive about it that you do not find on every corner. In the overall impression, however, the whisky does not yet seem quite fully matured. As a result, it remains interesting without really landing convincingly.
What it is worth
No auction record for this distillery, so we cannot tell you what this bottle is worth. We would rather say that than guess.