Glenallachie Single Cask 12 Years Old 2008 (Cask 6871)

A 12 year old GlenAllachie, a distillery bottling, from 2008, cask 6871, at 56%, released for a whisky festival. GlenAllachie is a Speyside single malt, the home distillery of master distiller Billy Walker. It was built by Mackinlay McPherson, the firm that supplied whisky to Shackleton's 1907 expedition. Its stills were doubled from two to four within months of opening, the lyne arms angled down for a fuller spirit. It was mothballed in 1985 and reopened in 1989, a modern distillery by Speyside standards.

It was distilled in copper pot stills, for the rich, sherried make GlenAllachie is known for. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak gentle behind the spirit. Through integration spirit and wood marry, vanillin rounding out as esters lend riper orchard fruit and a chocolate depth. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit.

At its natural 56% it is rich and chewy. Raisin, chocolate and a warm spice, lifted by a sweet oak. The body is full and rich, the fruit deep and dark. The finish runs long, full and warming. This is a rich Speyside malt of dried fruit and chocolate.