Glenallachie 9 Years Old 2014 Cask #9900287 (Murray McDavid)

A 9 year old GlenAllachie from Murray McDavid, distilled in 2014, from cask 9900287, at 57.7%, one of 320 bottles. GlenAllachie is a rich, sherried Speyside malt from Aberlour, built on full bodied spirit and active casks. It was bought in 2017 by Billy Walker and two partners, fresh from selling BenRiach, GlenDronach and Glenglassaugh.

It was distilled in copper pot stills, for a full make built to take active wood. It was fully matured in an Oloroso cask, the wood deep in the rich spirit. Young and extractive, the cask sheds vanillin and toasted sugars over the full, fruity spirit. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit. The casks are picked closely, the wood matched to the rich GlenAllachie make. Years in oak deepen the spirit to a darker gold, the body growing rounder and more resinous with time.

At its natural 57.7% it is rich and chewy. Raisin, chocolate and a warm spice, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. The mouthfeel is full and coating, the fruit dark and sweet. The finish is long, rich and spiced. This is a dark, fruity Speyside single malt.