Glenallachie 13 Years Old 2005 Cask #15601604 (Connoisseurs Choice)

This GlenAllachie comes from Gordon and MacPhail, the Elgin grocer laying down casks on South Street since 1895, a 13 year old, distilled in 2005, from cask 15601604, at 60.4%, one of 333 bottles. GlenAllachie is a Speyside single malt, the home distillery of master distiller Billy Walker. It matures its spirit in sixteen dunnage warehouses on the distillery site at Aberlour. It runs unusually long fermentations, up to a hundred and sixty hours, for a thick, ester rich and fruity spirit.

The spirit was taken gently through wash and spirit stills, for a thick, ester rich spirit the casks then deepen. A bourbon barrel held it, the wood adding a soft honey over the fruit. In integration coconut and vanilla knit with the malt, the orchard notes deepening to sultana, date and chocolate. The casks are picked closely, the wood matched to the rich GlenAllachie make.

At its natural 60.4% it is rich and chewy. A rich orchard sweetness and dark sugar, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A baked apple and a warm cinnamon lift the middle. The close is rich and dark, fruit over a warm spice. This is a Speyside single malt of real standing.