Glenallachie 12 Years Old (Sauternes Finish)

This official GlenAllachie, a 12 year old, at 48%, 6000 bottles in all. This is part of the Wine Series. 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. It was built for the 1960s blend boom, its make long destined for the blender's vat.

It was distilled in copper pot stills, for a thick, ester rich spirit the casks then deepen. Ex-Bourbon matured, it was given a finish in a Sauternes cask for a final sweetness. 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. Long ageing turns the fresh notes towards date, prune and a dark, bittersweet chocolate.

At a natural 48% it is full and rich. A rich orchard sweetness and dark sugar, with honeyed apricot and a candied citrus from the cask. Dried fruit and a treacle sit behind the spice. The finish is long, rich and spiced. This is GlenAllachie's deep, fruity Speyside style.