Glenallachie 18 Years Old (Pedro Ximenez Cask)

GlenAllachie from the distillery, an 18 year old, at 46%. GlenAllachie is a deep, dark Speyside malt of dried fruit, chocolate and spice. It was built by Mackinlay McPherson, the firm that supplied whisky to Shackleton's 1907 expedition. It matures its spirit in sixteen dunnage warehouses on the distillery site at Aberlour.

Taken gently through wash and spirit stills, for a full make built to take active wood. It was matured in a Pedro Ximenez cask, the wood working deep into the malt. Into oxidative maturity, slow air builds ripe esters and a darker chocolate, fig and date depth. The wood frames the spirit without ever stripping the full Speyside body. The full bodied spirit takes active wood well, carrying its dark sugars through the years. Long ageing turns the fresh notes towards date, prune and a dark, bittersweet chocolate. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit.

At 46% it is rich, fruity and deep. A rich, sherried sweetness, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. The mouthfeel is full and coating, the fruit dark and sweet. Dried fruit, spice and a soft oak see it out. This is GlenAllachie's deep, fruity Speyside style.