Glenallachie 12 Years Old 2008 Cask #1910865+1920865 (Murray McDavid)

Murray McDavid bottled this GlenAllachie, a 12 year old, distilled in 2008, from cask 1910865+1920865, at 50%, one of 771 bottles. GlenAllachie is a rich, sherried Speyside malt from Aberlour, built on full bodied spirit and active casks. It was mothballed in 1985 and reopened in 1989, a modern distillery by Speyside standards.

The spirit was distilled to a full, generous cut, for a full make built to take active wood. Maturation came in a Cognac cask, layered over the full GlenAllachie make. In integration coconut and vanilla knit with the malt, the orchard notes deepening to sultana, date and chocolate. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit. The full spirit deepens with time, the cask drawing out its darker register. Long ageing turns the fresh notes towards date, prune and a dark, bittersweet chocolate.

At its natural 50% it is rich and chewy. Raisin, chocolate and a warm spice, with a grapey, raisined warmth from the cask. Dried fruit and a treacle sit behind the spice. The finish is rounded, dark and spiced. This is a full bodied Speyside single malt of real richness.