Glenallachie 10 Years Old (Grattamacco Finish)

This official GlenAllachie, a 10 year old, at 48%, 2600 bottles in all. It is one of GlenAllachie's Wine Cask Series bottlings. GlenAllachie is a Speyside single malt from the hills above Aberlour, below Ben Rinnes. Its stills were doubled from two to four within months of opening, the lyne arms angled down for a fuller spirit. It was built by Mackinlay McPherson, the firm that supplied whisky to Shackleton's 1907 expedition.

Worked unhurried through the stillhouse, for a thick, ester rich spirit the casks then deepen. Ex-Bourbon matured, it was given a finish in a Grattamacco cask for a final sweetness. Through integration spirit and wood marry, vanillin rounding out as esters lend riper orchard fruit and a chocolate depth. The full spirit deepens with time, the cask drawing out its darker register. The casks are picked closely, the wood matched to the rich GlenAllachie make.

At 48%, undiluted, it is dark and full. Baked apple, honey and a dark chocolate, with a warm oak spice. Beneath it run dried fruit, dark sugar and a warm spice. A deep finish ends on dried fruit and a dark chocolate. This is a rich Speyside malt of dried fruit and chocolate.