Glenallachie 15 Years Old (Bourbon Cask)

GlenAllachie from the distillery, a 15 year old, at 48%, 2250 bottles in all. This is part of the Virgin Oak Series. GlenAllachie is a rich, sherried Speyside malt from Aberlour, built on full bodied spirit and active casks. It was designed almost entirely gravity fed, an efficient plant for its time. It was mothballed in 1985 and reopened in 1989, a modern distillery by Speyside standards. Its stills were doubled from two to four within months of opening, the lyne arms angled down for a fuller spirit.

It was distilled to a full, generous cut, for a full make built to take active wood. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak gentle behind the spirit. Into oxidative maturity, slow air builds ripe esters and a darker chocolate, fig and date depth. The casks are picked closely, the wood matched to the rich GlenAllachie make. Long ageing turns the fresh notes towards date, prune and a dark, bittersweet chocolate.

At a hearty 48% it carries real weight. A rich, sherried sweetness, with a warm oak spice. Fig, honey and a dark chocolate fill the middle. The close is rich and dark, fruit over a warm spice. This is a Speyside single malt of real standing.