Glenallachie Single Cask 12 Years Old 2009 (Cask 3822)

GlenAllachie from the distillery, a 12 year old, from 2009, cask 3822, at 56.4%, 300 bottles in all. GlenAllachie is a rich, sherried Speyside malt from Aberlour, built on full bodied spirit and active casks. It was founded in 1967, designed by the architect William Delme Evans, his fourth distillery after Jura and Tullibardine. It was built for the 1960s blend boom, its make long destined for the blender's vat. Its stills were doubled from two to four within months of opening, the lyne arms angled down for a fuller spirit.

The spirit was distilled in copper pot stills, giving a full bodied Speyside spirit. Maturation came in a Madeira cask, layered over the full GlenAllachie make. Through integration spirit and wood marry, vanillin rounding out as esters lend riper orchard fruit and a chocolate depth. Maturation runs slow and even in the on site dunnage warehouses at Aberlour.

At a hearty 56.4% it carries real weight. A deep, dark sweetness, with a nutty, raisined sweetness from the cask. A baked apple and a warm cinnamon lift the middle. The finish runs long, full and warming. This is GlenAllachie's deep, fruity Speyside style.