Glenallachie Single Cask 15 Years Old 2006 (Cask 1283)

GlenAllachie from the distillery, a 15 year old, from 2006, cask 1283, at 57.7%, 620 bottles in all. GlenAllachie is a Speyside single malt, founded in 1967 below Ben Rinnes near Aberlour. It runs unusually long fermentations, up to a hundred and sixty hours, for a thick, ester rich and fruity spirit. It was designed almost entirely gravity fed, an efficient plant for its time. It was mothballed in 1985 and reopened in 1989, a modern distillery by Speyside standards.

Drawn from a thick, full bodied wash, for a thick, ester rich spirit the casks then deepen. It was fully matured in a Pedro Ximenez cask, the wood deep in the rich spirit. Into oxidative maturity, slow air builds ripe esters and a darker chocolate, fig and date depth. The casks are picked closely, the wood matched to the rich GlenAllachie make. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit.

Bottled at a cask strength 57.7%, it is deep and concentrated. A deep, dark sweetness, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. It is full and fruity, the spirit carrying the cask. Dried fruit, spice and a soft oak see it out. This is a deep, sherried Speyside single malt.