Glenallachie 10 Years Old 2009 Valinch #3 (Whiskyhort)

A 10 year old GlenAllachie from Whiskyhort, distilled in 2009, at 60.2%. GlenAllachie is a rich, sherried Speyside malt from Aberlour, built on full bodied spirit and active casks. It was built by Mackinlay McPherson, the firm that supplied whisky to Shackleton's 1907 expedition. Its water is the Lochnagar Burn, drawn down from the slopes of Ben Rinnes. It was designed almost entirely gravity fed, an efficient plant for its time.

The spirit was drawn from a thick, full bodied wash, for a full make built to take active wood. It was fully matured in a Pinot Noir 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 casks are picked closely, the wood matched to the rich GlenAllachie make. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit.

At 60.2%, undiluted, it is dark and full. Orange, raisin and a treacle edge, with a soft red cherry and an earthy edge from the cask. A dark chocolate and a soft oak give it weight. The finish is long, rich and spiced. This is a deep, sherried Speyside single malt.