Glenallachie 11 Years Old (Grattamacco Finish)

An 11 year old GlenAllachie, a distillery bottling, at 48%. This is part of the Wine Series. GlenAllachie is a Speyside single malt from the hills above Aberlour, below Ben Rinnes. It was built for the 1960s blend boom, its make long destined for the blender's vat. It was built by Mackinlay McPherson, the firm that supplied whisky to Shackleton's 1907 expedition. 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, building a deep malt of dried fruit and dark sugar. After ex-Bourbon maturation it was finished in a Grattamacco cask, the wine working into the spirit. In integration coconut and vanilla knit with the malt, the orchard notes deepening to sultana, date and chocolate. Long ageing turns the fresh notes towards date, prune and a dark, bittersweet chocolate.

At a natural 48% it is full and rich. Date, fig and a warm cinnamon, with a soft vanilla from the oak. The mouthfeel is full and coating, the fruit dark and sweet. The finish is long, rich and spiced. This is a deep, sherried Speyside single malt.