One of the six-strong single cask single malt releases from the ‘new’ GlenAllachie. The capitalised ‘A’ in the course of the name gives a clue to the distillery’s new owner: Billy Walker, prior to now of BenRiach (and indeed GlenDronach). Walker bought the distillery from Chivas Brothers last year and, in doing so, set about transforming GlenAllachie from a little-known distillery producing fillings for blends such as Passport and 100 Pipers, into a quality-oriented single malt in its own right.
A core range is set to launch in June but, whilst we wait for that, there is this initial release of six single cask single malts – spanning the years 1978 to 1991, with two each and every from 1989 and 1990 in the middle.
Distilled 11/12/1978 Bottled Feb 2018
85/100 on scotchwhisky.com
Nose: Now here’s abnormal. It opens with this note which I from time to time get with an old whisky of the air inside an empty cupboard, a ghostly aroma of the smell of time lost. Then, like many of its kind, it begins to fill in. There’s some cold Darjeeling tea, then aromatic woods, resin, some sweet, raisined fruits, a little beeswax and then a needling, bone-dry oloroso element as a way to thrill true Sherry lovers. In time you pick out spent cigar, rum-and-raisin, and chocolate. At its best neat.
Palate: Sweet, with a heavy concentration of fruit, but that light airiness is still evident even finally this time (and the attentions of a Sherry butt). The tannins are more grippy, but there’s some dried mint and oregano, then date and pruney richness.
Finish: Coffee grounds. Conclusion Everything ultimately is concentrated into an essence. An interesting journey.
I reckon that Billy Walker’s done it again.
Glenallachie Whisky
Unboxed
50cl Standard
55.9% ABV
Produced in Scotland
