Glenallachie 10 Years Old AtB Darkness (Atom Brands)

A 10 year old GlenAllachie from Atom Brands, at 57.2%. 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. It was built for the 1960s blend boom, its make long destined for the blender's vat. It was bought in 2017 by Billy Walker and two partners, fresh from selling BenRiach, GlenDronach and Glenglassaugh. It was designed almost entirely gravity fed, an efficient plant for its time.

Taken gently through wash and spirit stills, giving a full bodied Speyside spirit. It was fully matured in a Pedro Ximenez 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. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit.

At 57.2%, undiluted, it is dark and full. Fig, walnut and a bittersweet chocolate, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. Fig, honey and a dark chocolate fill the middle. The finish is long, rich and spiced. This is GlenAllachie's deep, fruity Speyside style.