Glenallachie 17 Years Old 1992 (Connoisseurs Choice)

A 17 year old GlenAllachie from Gordon and MacPhail, distilled in 1992, at 43%. GlenAllachie is a deep, dark Speyside malt of dried fruit, chocolate and spice. Under Walker it turned to single malt, with heavy maturation in sherry and wine casks. It was mothballed in 1985 and reopened in 1989, a modern distillery by Speyside standards. It was built by Mackinlay McPherson, the firm that supplied whisky to Shackleton's 1907 expedition.

The spirit was worked unhurried through the stillhouse, shaping a rich Speyside body with real weight. It was fully matured in an Oloroso cask, the wood deep in the rich spirit. Through oxidative maturity the esters concentrate, the orchard notes turning to raisin, fig and a dark chocolate. Maturation runs slow and even in the on site dunnage warehouses at Aberlour. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit.

At an approachable 43% it is soft and fruity. Baked apple, honey and a dark chocolate, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. A dark chocolate and a soft oak give it weight. A long finish carries raisin, chocolate and a treacle. This is a rich, sherried Speyside single malt.