Glenallachie Single Cask 15 Years Old 2005 (Cask 3754)

A distillery release of GlenAllachie, a 15 year old, from 2005, cask 3754, at 58.3%. GlenAllachie is a Speyside single malt known for its heavy sherry and wine cask maturation. It was mothballed in 1985 and reopened in 1989, a modern distillery by Speyside standards. It was built for the 1960s blend boom, its make long destined for the blender's vat.

It was run slowly off the spirit still, shaping a rich Speyside body with real weight. A Madeira cask held it, drawing the rich spirit on over the years. At oxidative maturity aldehydes lend a nutty edge while ellagitannins draw a drying, structured grip across the fruit. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit. Active first fill wood drives the maturation, the cask deep in the malt. The casks are picked closely, the wood matched to the rich GlenAllachie make.

At its natural 58.3% it is rich and chewy. Orange, raisin and a treacle edge, with a nutty, raisined sweetness from the cask. Dried fruit and a treacle sit behind the spice. The close is rich and dark, fruit over a warm spice. This is a dark, fruity Speyside single malt.