Glenallachie 2008 IN2S The 5th Anniversary (IN2Spirit (IN2S))

A GlenAllachie of a 16 year old chosen by IN2Spirit (IN2S), distilled in 2008, at 53.5%, one of 98 bottles. GlenAllachie is a deep, dark Speyside malt of dried fruit, chocolate and spice. It was built for the 1960s blend boom, its make long destined for the blender's vat. Under Walker it turned to single malt, with heavy maturation in sherry and wine casks. Its stills were doubled from two to four within months of opening, the lyne arms angled down for a fuller spirit.

The spirit was drawn from a thick, full bodied wash, for a thick, ester rich spirit the casks then deepen. 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 full bodied spirit takes active wood well, carrying its dark sugars through the years.

At its natural 53.5% it is rich and chewy. Raisin, chocolate and a warm spice, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. The mouthfeel is full and coating, the fruit dark and sweet. The finish is long, rich and spiced. This is a rich Speyside malt of dried fruit and chocolate.