Glenallachie Single Cask 15 Years Old 2008 (Cask 6895)

GlenAllachie from the distillery, a 15 year old, from 2008, cask 6895, at 57.8%, 215 bottles in all. GlenAllachie is a Speyside single malt known for its heavy sherry and wine cask maturation. 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. It was built for the 1960s blend boom, its make long destined for the blender's vat.

Distilled in copper pot stills, shaping a rich Speyside body with real weight. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak gentle behind the spirit. Through oxidative maturity the esters concentrate, the orchard notes turning to raisin, fig and a dark chocolate. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit.

Bottled at a cask strength 57.8%, it is deep and concentrated. A rich, sherried sweetness, lifted by a sweet oak. Fig, honey and a dark chocolate fill the middle. A long finish carries raisin, chocolate and a treacle. This is a deep, sherried Speyside single malt.