Glenallachie 23 Years Old 1995 Cask #95161 (Ian Macleod)

A 23 year old GlenAllachie from Ian Macleod, distilled in 1995, from cask 95161, at 54.6%, one of 206 bottles. GlenAllachie is a rich, sherried Speyside malt from Aberlour, built on full bodied spirit and active casks. It was designed almost entirely gravity fed, an efficient plant for its time. It was built by Mackinlay McPherson, the firm that supplied whisky to Shackleton's 1907 expedition.

Drawn from a thick, full bodied wash, shaping a rich Speyside body with real weight. A White Wine cask held it, drawing the rich spirit on over the years. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend structure while oxidation builds a richer raisin and treacle. Long ageing turns the fresh notes towards date, prune and a dark, bittersweet chocolate. The wood frames the spirit without ever stripping the full Speyside body. Years in oak deepen the spirit to a darker gold, the body growing rounder and more resinous with time.

At a hearty 54.6% it carries real weight. Raisin, chocolate and a warm spice, with a crisp citrus and a floral edge from the cask. The body is full and rich, the fruit deep and dark. A long finish carries raisin, chocolate and a treacle. This is a full bodied Speyside single malt of real richness.