Glenallachie 12 Years Old 2008 Art Nouveau (Whisky-Doris)

A GlenAllachie of a 12 year old chosen by Whisky-Doris, distilled in 2008, at 53.9%, one of 180 bottles. GlenAllachie is a Speyside single malt, founded in 1967 below Ben Rinnes near Aberlour. It was built for the 1960s blend boom, its make long destined for the blender's vat. Its water is the Lochnagar Burn, drawn down from the slopes of Ben Rinnes. It was bought in 2017 by Billy Walker and two partners, fresh from selling BenRiach, GlenDronach and Glenglassaugh. It was mothballed in 1985 and reopened in 1989, a modern distillery by Speyside standards.

It was run slowly off the spirit still, shaping a rich Speyside body with real weight. Maturation came in an Oloroso cask, layered over the full GlenAllachie make. 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 a natural 53.9% it is full and rich. Baked apple, honey and a dark chocolate, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. The mouthfeel is full and coating, the fruit dark and sweet. The finish is rounded, dark and spiced. This is a deep, sherried Speyside single malt.