Glenallachie 12 Years Old 2008 First Cask (Whisky Import Nederland)

A 12 year old GlenAllachie from Whisky Import Nederland, distilled in 2008, at 57.8%, one of 350 bottles. 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 founded in 1967, designed by the architect William Delme Evans, his fourth distillery after Jura and Tullibardine.

It was distilled in copper pot stills, shaping a rich Speyside body with real weight. It was matured in an Oloroso cask, the wood working deep into the malt. In integration coconut and vanilla knit with the malt, the orchard notes deepening to sultana, date and chocolate. The full bodied spirit takes active wood well, carrying its dark sugars through the years. Maturation runs slow and even in the on site dunnage warehouses at Aberlour. The casks are picked closely, the wood matched to the rich GlenAllachie make. The wood frames the spirit without ever stripping the full Speyside body.

At 57.8%, undiluted, it is dark and full. A deep, dark sweetness, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Dried fruit and a treacle sit behind the spice. The finish runs long, full and warming. This is the sherry led malt of Aberlour.