Glenallachie Single Cask #806299 11 Years Old 2012 (Port)

A distillery release of GlenAllachie, an 11 year old, from 2012, cask 806299, at 57.6%, 325 bottles in all. GlenAllachie is a Speyside single malt, long a blending malt and now a sherry led name in its own right. Its stills were doubled from two to four within months of opening, the lyne arms angled down for a fuller spirit.

The spirit was run slowly off the spirit still, giving a full bodied Speyside spirit. It was fully matured in a Port cask, the wood deep in the rich spirit. 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. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit. Long ageing turns the fresh notes towards date, prune and a dark, bittersweet chocolate.

At a natural 57.6% it is full and rich. Baked apple, honey and a dark chocolate, with red berry, plum and a dry spice from the cask. Beneath it run dried fruit, dark sugar and a warm spice. The finish runs long, full and warming. This is a dark, fruity Speyside single malt.