Glenallachie 21 Years Old 1996 Cask #5249 + 5250 (Signatory)

A 21 year old GlenAllachie from Signatory Vintage, distilled in 1996, from cask 5249 + 5250, at 54.8%, one of 449 bottles. GlenAllachie is a deep, dark Speyside malt of dried fruit, chocolate and spice. Its water is the Lochnagar Burn, drawn down from the slopes of Ben Rinnes. It runs unusually long fermentations, up to a hundred and sixty hours, for a thick, ester rich and fruity spirit. It was bought in 2017 by Billy Walker and two partners, fresh from selling BenRiach, GlenDronach and Glenglassaugh.

Drawn from a thick, full bodied wash, for a full make built to take active wood. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, vanillin and a soft coconut under the malt. At oxidative maturity aldehydes lend a nutty edge while ellagitannins draw a drying, structured grip across the fruit. Long ageing turns the fresh notes towards date, prune and a dark, bittersweet chocolate.

Bottled at a cask strength 54.8%, it is deep and concentrated. Baked apple, honey and a dark chocolate, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Fig, honey and a dark chocolate fill the middle. The finish runs long, full and warming. This is the sherry led malt of Aberlour.