Glenallachie Single Cask for Europe – Batch 4 15 Years Old 2006

A distillery release of GlenAllachie, a 15 year old, from 2006, cask 1841, at 61.1%, 777 bottles in all. GlenAllachie is a rich, sherried Speyside malt from Aberlour, built on full bodied spirit and active casks. It was built by Mackinlay McPherson, the firm that supplied whisky to Shackleton's 1907 expedition. It was mothballed in 1985 and reopened in 1989, a modern distillery by Speyside standards.

The spirit was taken gently through wash and spirit stills, building a deep malt of dried fruit and dark sugar. It was fully matured in a Port cask, the wood deep in the rich spirit. Into oxidative maturity, slow air builds ripe esters and a darker chocolate, fig and date depth. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit. The full spirit deepens with time, the cask drawing out its darker register.

Bottled at a cask strength 61.1%, it is deep and concentrated. A rich orchard sweetness and dark sugar, with red berry, plum and a dry spice from the cask. A baked apple and a warm cinnamon lift the middle. Dried fruit, spice and a soft oak see it out. This is GlenAllachie's deep, fruity Speyside style.