Glenallachie 7 Years Old 2008 Hepburn’s Choice (Langside Distillers)

Langside Distillers bottled this GlenAllachie, a 7 year old, distilled in 2008, at 46%, one of 301 bottles. GlenAllachie is a Speyside single malt, revived in 2017 by the team of Billy Walker. 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. It was founded in 1967, designed by the architect William Delme Evans, his fourth distillery after Jura and Tullibardine.

The spirit was distilled in copper pot stills, building a deep malt of dried fruit and dark sugar. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, oak lactones lending a creamy vanilla. Young and extractive, the cask sheds vanillin and toasted sugars over the full, fruity spirit. The casks are picked closely, the wood matched to the rich GlenAllachie make. The wood frames the spirit without ever stripping the full Speyside body.

At an approachable 46% it is soft and fruity. Baked apple, honey and a dark chocolate, lifted by a sweet oak. Beneath it run dried fruit, dark sugar and a warm spice. The finish runs long, full and warming. This is a rich, sherried Speyside single malt.