Glenallachie 18 Years Old (Oloroso Cask)

GlenAllachie from the distillery, an 18 year old, at 46%. GlenAllachie is a Speyside single malt known for its heavy sherry and wine cask maturation. It was founded in 1967, designed by the architect William Delme Evans, his fourth distillery after Jura and Tullibardine. It was built for the 1960s blend boom, its make long destined for the blender's vat. It was bought in 2017 by Billy Walker and two partners, fresh from selling BenRiach, GlenDronach and Glenglassaugh. It matures its spirit in sixteen dunnage warehouses on the distillery site at Aberlour.

It was worked unhurried through the stillhouse, giving a full bodied Speyside spirit. It was matured in an Oloroso cask, the wood working deep into the malt. At oxidative maturity aldehydes lend a nutty edge while ellagitannins draw a drying, structured grip across the fruit. The casks are picked closely, the wood matched to the rich GlenAllachie make.

Reduced to 46%, it is mellow and sweet. Date, fig and a warm cinnamon, 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 a full bodied Speyside single malt of real richness.