One of the six-strong single cask single malt releases from the ‘new’ GlenAllachie. The capitalised ‘A’ in the midst of the name gives a clue to the distillery’s new owner: Billy Walker, up 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 look ahead to that, there is this initial release of six single cask single malts – spanning the years 1978 to 1991, with two every from 1989 and 1990 in the middle.
Distilled 19/5/1989 Bottled Feb 2018
86/100 on scotchwhisky.com
Nose: Rumbustious Sherry cask character, which mixes those blue fruits with some bodega funkiness: that lovely (well, I like it) cheese rind element, old Serrano ham with fruit, leather, prune and hints of nuttiness, which comes across as chestnut purée. Big, no doubt, but balanced with Sherry-soaked wood and, with water, Christmas cake, bruised plum, sultana and apple.
Palate: Broad and heavily Sherried, this is the weightiest up to now, with a mixture of Sherry, inky new sprint and coffee grounds on the tip of the tongue, some coal-like dustiness and liquorice in the middle, then those dark, aromatic plums and blueberries on the end.Wealthy and layered, it holds water well, bringing out Bourbon biscuits, resin and a slight oiliness before the estery brightness (grilled pineapple) adds lift. Flirts with sulphur.
Finish: Dried peel and dark fruits.
Conclusion:One for the Sherry lovers.
Glenallachie Whisky
Unboxed
50cl Standard
57.7% ABV
Produced in Scotland
