Glenallachie 7 Years Old 2011 Cask #9039 (The Vintage Malt Whisky Co Ltd.)

A 7 year old GlenAllachie from The Vintage Malt Whisky Co Ltd, distilled in 2011, from cask 9039, at 57.5%, one of 360 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. 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.

The spirit was worked unhurried through the stillhouse, shaping a rich Speyside body with real weight. It was matured in a Port cask, the wood working deep into the malt. At an extractive age eugenol lends a clove note and lactones a coconut, the spirit rich, fruity and full. The casks are picked closely, the wood matched to the rich GlenAllachie make. The full spirit deepens with time, the cask drawing out its darker register.

At its natural 57.5% it is rich and chewy. A rich orchard sweetness and dark sugar, with red berry, plum and a dry spice from the cask. Dried fruit and a treacle sit behind the spice. The finish is long, rich and spiced. This is a rich, sherried Speyside single malt.