Glenallachie Single Cask 17 Years Old 2005

A distillery release of GlenAllachie, a 17 year old, from 2005, cask 11908, at 55.9%, 643 bottles in all. GlenAllachie is a Speyside single malt from the hills above Aberlour, below Ben Rinnes. Its water is the Lochnagar Burn, drawn down from the slopes of Ben Rinnes. Its stills were doubled from two to four within months of opening, the lyne arms angled down for a fuller spirit.

It was taken gently through wash and spirit stills, building a deep malt of dried fruit and dark sugar. A Port cask held it, drawing the rich spirit on over the years. Into oxidative maturity, slow air builds ripe esters and a darker chocolate, fig and date depth. The wood frames the spirit without ever stripping the full Speyside body. The casks are picked closely, the wood matched to the rich GlenAllachie make. The full spirit deepens with time, the cask drawing out its darker register.

At 55.9%, undiluted, it is dark and full. Fig, walnut and a bittersweet chocolate, with red berry, plum and a dry spice from the cask. Beneath it run dried fruit, dark sugar and a warm spice. The finish is rounded, dark and spiced. This is GlenAllachie's deep, fruity Speyside style.