Glenallachie Single Cask 14 Years Old 2009 (Cask 7651)

A distillery release of GlenAllachie, a 14 year old, from 2009, cask 7651, at 59.5%, 274 bottles in all. GlenAllachie is a Speyside single malt from the hills above Aberlour, below Ben Rinnes. It was bought in 2017 by Billy Walker and two partners, fresh from selling BenRiach, GlenDronach and Glenglassaugh. Its stills were doubled from two to four within months of opening, the lyne arms angled down for a fuller spirit.

Run slowly off the spirit still, for a thick, ester rich spirit the casks then deepen. Maturation came in a Madeira cask, layered over the full GlenAllachie make. In integration coconut and vanilla knit with the malt, the orchard notes deepening to sultana, date and chocolate. Maturation runs slow and even in the on site dunnage warehouses at Aberlour. The casks are picked closely, the wood matched to the rich GlenAllachie make.

At a natural 59.5% it is full and rich. Baked apple, honey and a dark chocolate, with a nutty, raisined sweetness from the cask. The mouthfeel is full and coating, the fruit dark and sweet. A long finish carries raisin, chocolate and a treacle. This is a rich, sherried Speyside single malt.