Glenallachie 21 Years Old Cask #Batch 3

This official GlenAllachie, a 21 year old, cask Batch 3, at 51.5%, 2400 bottles in all. GlenAllachie is a deep, dark Speyside malt of dried fruit, chocolate and spice. Its stills were doubled from two to four within months of opening, the lyne arms angled down for a fuller spirit. It matures its spirit in sixteen dunnage warehouses on the distillery site at Aberlour. It was founded in 1967, designed by the architect William Delme Evans, his fourth distillery after Jura and Tullibardine.

Distilled to a full, generous cut, building a deep malt of dried fruit and dark sugar. A bourbon barrel held it, the wood adding a soft honey over the fruit. Into oxidative maturity, slow air builds ripe esters and a darker chocolate, fig and date depth. The casks are picked closely, the wood matched to the rich GlenAllachie make. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit. The full bodied spirit takes active wood well, carrying its dark sugars through the years.

At its natural 51.5% it is rich and chewy. A deep, dark sweetness, lifted by a sweet oak. The mouthfeel is full and coating, the fruit dark and sweet. It finishes long, full and fruity. This is a rich, sherried Speyside single malt.