Glenallachie 11 Years Old 2011 Cask #800714 (Whisky.de)

An 11 year old GlenAllachie from Whisky.de, distilled in 2011, from cask 800714, at 59.5%, one of 711 bottles. GlenAllachie is a rich, sherried Speyside malt from Aberlour, built on full bodied spirit and active casks. It matures its spirit in sixteen dunnage warehouses on the distillery site at Aberlour. Its stills were doubled from two to four within months of opening, the lyne arms angled down for a fuller spirit.

The spirit was drawn from a thick, full bodied wash, giving a full bodied Speyside spirit. It was fully matured in an Oloroso 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 wood frames the spirit without ever stripping the full Speyside body. Long ageing turns the fresh notes towards date, prune and a dark, bittersweet chocolate. The casks are picked closely, the wood matched to the rich GlenAllachie make.

At 59.5%, undiluted, it is dark and full. Fig, walnut and a bittersweet chocolate, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. The body is full and rich, the fruit deep and dark. Dried fruit, spice and a soft oak see it out. This is a dark, fruity Speyside single malt.