Chapter 29
My first visit to GlenAllachie
When one of us announced another tiny malt mate on the way, we did what any responsible whisky lover would do—plan a distillery trip!
Our Speyside adventure took us straight to GlenAllachie, where we witnessed firsthand the remarkable transformation under Billy Walker’s leadership. With an emphasis on long fermentation times (even at the cost of production capacity), short stills that yield a rich spirit, and an almost obsessive focus on cask selection, GlenAllachie is making bold moves. There’s still a lot of what Billy has been doing that we haven’t tasted yet in the dram…so watch this space!
The future looks incredibly exciting and sustainable for this distillery. MVR technology is about to be installed to reduce energy consumption by 50%. We were lucky to sample some of its finest expressions. Here’s our take on five standout drams.
GlenAllachie 15-Year-Old – 46% ABV
A staple in GlenAllachie’s core lineup, this 15-year-old expression is matured in a mix of Pedro Ximénez, Oloroso, and Puncheon sherry casks. Bottled at 46%, unchill-filtered, and naturally colored—exactly how we like it. RRP in the UK: £68.50.
Nose: Like stepping into your gran’s attic—dusty old wardrobes, dried figs, and pine raisins. A swirl of bergamot and praline adds an elegant touch, while a hint of weathered caramel lingers in the background.
Palate: A gentle start that evolves into thick, woody raisin syrup. Toasted peanuts and honey sneak in before leading to a more structured, fig-laden finale.
Finish: Long and smooth with baked apples, honeycomb, and a bright citrus twist to keep things lively.
Overall: A solid core range dram that delivers complexity without overpowering sherry-ness. Balanced, warming, and immensely satisfying.
GlenAllachie 12-Year-Old Sauternes – 48% ABV
A unique twist on GlenAllachie’s range, this dram has a final maturation in Sauternes wine casks. The result? A fascinating interplay of sweet and spice. RRP: ~£60.
Nose: A floral and nutty affair—jasmine and vanilla meet toasted pine nuts, with a subtle hint of coppery sulfur. A drop of water reveals green hazelnuts and fresh grassy notes.
Palate: Bright and zesty with a ginger kick. Sweet Sauternes influence shines through, mingling with a tantalizing salty-sour contrast.
Finish: Shorter than its 15-year-old sibling, but still packs a punch—ginger spice and peppercorn linger.
Overall: A wildcard in the lineup. Offers a fascinating departure from the sherried core range and sits at a price point that makes for a tough decision between this and the 15.
GlenAllachie 10-Year-Old Cask Strength Batch 11 – 59.4% ABV
The latest release in the much-loved cask strength series, this batch is a blend of PX, Oloroso, and Red Wine casks. The first to feature the new label, and it comes in strong at 59.4%. RRP: £62.
Nose: Absolutely loaded—rich leather, polished wooden furniture, and sticky apples collide with an avalanche of spice. Nutmeg, cinnamon, anise, and cloves create a warm, almost festive aroma, rounded off with a faint wisp of ash.
Palate: Thick and chewy, just how we like it. The sherry influence is bold but not overpowering, letting tropical mango chutney and demerara sugar shine through.
Finish: Long-lasting and luxurious—imagine sinking into a well-worn leather car seat, snacking on toasted almonds while a hint of palm oil lingers.
Overall: A must-have. This dram proves why GlenAllachie’s cask strength releases always deserve a spot on the shelf. Just a few drops of water open it up beautifully.
GlenAllachie 17-Year-Old Ex-Solera – 58.1% ABV
A truly special release, finished in a Solera sherry cask over 50 years old. The depth and history in this dram are undeniable. Time spent in this legendary PX cask elevates it to something extraordinary. Hard to find, but a steal at £100-£120 on auction if you can find it.
Nose: A rich, honeyed delight—think Hanukkah honey, nutty toasted almonds, tiramisu cream, baked pear, and a swirl of candy floss. A bit of pastel de nata in whisky form.
Palate: Thick honeycomb, incredibly balanced between sweet and sour. A surprising umami hit—nori seaweed meets dark chocolate, creating an unforgettable experience.
Finish: An eternal embrace of woody sherry, toasted almonds, lemon curd, candied orange peel, and sticky dates.
Overall: A showstopper. If you see it at auction, grab it. This level of complexity and balance is rare. It gets the badge!
GlenAllachie 2007 Distillery Exclusive PX Puncheon – 62.5% ABV
A beast of a dram, distilled in November 2007, bottled in August 2024 at a staggering 62.5%. After spending four years in a single PX puncheon (cask 4044), it’s an intensely rich and indulgent whisky. Distillery exclusive, but worth hunting down.
Nose: The PX sherry influence hits immediately—mosto, toasted almonds, macadamia nuts, and creamy crème brûlée. A comforting swirl of cinnamon and digestive biscuits rounds things out.
Palate: Thick, rich, and mouth-coating. A bold, almost umami hit—Marmite-like intensity with deep licorice chewiness.
Finish: Deep, dark, and endless. Sticky dates and waves of licorice stretch on forever.
Overall: A powerhouse dram that demands your attention. Intense, unapologetically sherried, and utterly mesmerizing.
Overall
GlenAllachie is a distillery on the rise, blending tradition with innovation in a way that keeps whisky lovers on their toes. Whether you’re into deep sherried complexity, experimental finishes, or full-throttle cask strength beasts, there’s something here for everyone. Billy Walker’s vision for the future is thrilling, and if this lineup is anything to go by, GlenAllachie is set to become a heavyweight in the whisky world. Cheers to the journey!
Drams
and more...
Today's drams
- GlenAllachie 15-Year-Old – 46% ABV
- GlenAllachie 12-Year-Old Sauternes – 48% ABV
- GlenAllachie 10-Year-Old Cask Strength Batch 11 – 59.4% ABV
- GlenAllachie 17-Year-Old Ex-Solera – 58.1% ABV
- GlenAllachie 2007 Distillery Exclusive PX Puncheon – 62.5% ABV