Glenallachie Single Cask for Europe – Batch 4 32 Years Old 1989

This official GlenAllachie, a 32 year old, from 1989, cask 5585, at 51.6%, 584 bottles in all. GlenAllachie is a Speyside single malt, revived in 2017 by the team of Billy Walker. It was built by Mackinlay McPherson, the firm that supplied whisky to Shackleton's 1907 expedition. Its stills were doubled from two to four within months of opening, the lyne arms angled down for a fuller spirit.

The spirit was distilled in copper pot stills, for a thick, ester rich spirit the casks then deepen. It was matured in a Pedro Ximenez cask, the wood working deep into the malt. Ethereal and fragile, the decades draw it to a resinous, waxy depth of dried fruit, treacle and old oak. The casks are picked closely, the wood matched to the rich GlenAllachie make. Long ageing turns the fresh notes towards date, prune and a dark, bittersweet chocolate. The wood frames the spirit without ever stripping the full Speyside body.

At a hearty 51.6% it carries real weight. A deep, dark sweetness, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. The mouthfeel is full and coating, the fruit dark and sweet. The finish runs long, full and warming. This is a dark, fruity Speyside single malt.