In December 2021 The GlenAllachie reveled its Autumn assortment of single casks. It included six expressions, solely out there within the UK. As anticipated, it was a showcase of various wooden sorts.
We skip the sherry casks for as soon as. Right now we’re specializing in three much less frequent expressions: a 2009 Marsala cask, a 2006 Rioja barrique and a 2006 Port Pipe.
GlenAllachie 12 yo 2009 (58%, OB for UK 2021, Marsala barrel #5856, 295 btl.)
Nostril: a variety of minty notes at first, adopted by heather and a touch of pinewood. Then it turns into honeyed, with some stewed orchard fruits behind it. Candy apples, peaches and hints of yellow plums. Tinned pineapples. Some darker toffee notes and oak shavings too.
Mouth: fairly a fruity core once more, with plentiful sweetness. It’s primarily exhibiting mango, apple compote and pineapple sweet. Then spicy notes seem, like white pepper and candied ginger. The generoous energy strengthens this spicy / woody aspect. Caramel and fudge, in addition to some biscuity notes beneath.
End: medium lengthy, with loads of sweetness once more, each in a caramelized in addition to fruity type.
When you like a candy dessert dram, then it will in all probability give you the results you want. I believe the tropical fruitiness makes this fairly successful, however the sweetness is reasonably dominant and complexity is pretty low. One thing in between a sherry cask and a Sauternes cask maybe. Fascinating. Bottles are gone, however nonetheless samples out there from The Whisky Change.
GlenAllachie 15 yo 2006 (60,5%, OB for UK 2021, Rioja barrique #4465, 301 btl.)
Nostril: darker, barely woodier, with a (mulled) winey edge. Crimson plums and poached pears, with black berries, nutmeg and cloves within the background. Later candied ginger and a few mild nutty parts, primarily almond. Hints of cocoa and leafy notes too.
Mouth: now the crimson wine begins to dominate. Cloves and nutmeg, with extra nutty notes and a reasonably loud muddy edge. Blackberries, mint and different herbs. Barely bitter and dry – that is missing freshness and fruitiness for my part.
End: medium lengthy, leafy, with dry wine, slightly toffee and cocoa.
I most well-liked the broader 13 Years Rioja end launch, which was extra mild and had a much less astringent wine affect. Offered out, however TWE remains to be providing samples. Rating: 79/100
GlenAllachie 15 yo 2006 (60,7%, OB for UK 2021, Tawny Port pipe #868, 719 btl.)
Nostril: extra vanilla than within the different two. Later a average sweetness develops, on stewed plums, blackberries and chocolate. Brown sugar. Then sandalwood seems, alongside pepper and heathery notes. No disturbing winey notes – good.
Mouth: elevated darkness and depth now. Extra spicy notes seem, primarily pepper, nutmeg and plenty of of cinnamon. The steadiness with dried figs and chocolate cake is sweet. Hints of espresso ganache. The wooden is distinguished however stored in test.
End: lengthy, nonetheless spicy and woody, with chocolate and dried fruits within the background.
Lively oak is a continuing on this session (and within the basic GlenAllachie coverage, I suppose). It’s onerous to get a glimpse of the distillery character in these single casks. That stated, this Port model is my favorite expression right now. Similar story: bottles are gone however TWE remains to be providing samples. Rating: 86/100
