Glenallachie Single Cask 13 Years Old 2005 (Cask 16911)

GlenAllachie from the distillery, a 13 year old, from 2005, cask 16911, at 62.9%, 201 bottles in all. GlenAllachie is a rich, sherried Speyside malt from Aberlour, built on full bodied spirit and active casks. It was mothballed in 1985 and reopened in 1989, a modern distillery by Speyside standards. It was bought in 2017 by Billy Walker and two partners, fresh from selling BenRiach, GlenDronach and Glenglassaugh.

It was worked unhurried through the stillhouse, shaping a rich Speyside body with real weight. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, vanillin and a soft coconut under the malt. By the integrating teens the raw notes fade and esters build, the rich spirit growing rounder and darker. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit. Maturation runs slow and even in the on site dunnage warehouses at Aberlour. The full bodied spirit takes active wood well, carrying its dark sugars through the years.

At its natural 62.9% it is rich and chewy. Raisin, chocolate and a warm spice, over a gentle, creamy oak. Beneath it run dried fruit, dark sugar and a warm spice. The finish is long, rich and spiced. This is a Speyside single malt of real standing.