GlenAllachie 13yo, 2021, Madeira Wood Finish
ABV: 48%
Region: Speyside
Price per bottle: °°
Bottling: Distillery
Cask type: American Oak Barrels, Madeira Barrique Cask Finish

Colour: Gold.
Nose: Very fruity on the nose with peach, apricot and pineapple, joined by yellow grapes and banana. There are also sweet notes of vanilla and butterscotch, accompanied by some oak spice and a hint of ginger.
Palate: Sweet and fruity also on the palate with yellow grapes, pineapple and peach. At the same time warming with spicy oak and some pepper. Creamy vanilla and slightly dry notes of grape skins and grapefruit towards the finish.
Finish: The finish is long and creamy with fruit jam, a hint of aniseed and slightly bitter notes of grapefruit and yellow grape skins.
With water: After the addition of water, lots of fruit on the nose with pineapple, papaya, apricot and peach, accompanied by banana and grapes. Sweet and fruity also on the palate with a slightly noticeable oak spice. There is also a touch of ginger and slightly bitter grapefruit towards the finish. The finish is still long, creamy and marmalade-like with yellow fruits, grapes, vanilla and a touch of bitter grape skin.
Comments: I liked the third bottling of the new Wood Finish Series best. The beguiling aroma of ripe, yellow, tropical fruits is also reflected on the palate and is excellently balanced by sweet-creamy vanilla and slightly spicy oak notes. It is also pleasing that the fruit sweetness is wonderfully preserved after the addition of a few drops of water. An extremely tasty single malt from GlenAllachie!

I thank The GlenAllachie Distillery for the complimentary sample and the photograph!

GlenAllachie 12yo, 2021, Ruby Port Wood Finish
ABV: 48%
Region: Speyside
Price per bottle: °°
Bottling: Distillery
Cask type: American Oak Barrels, Ruby Port Pipe Finish

Colour: Reddish amber.
Nose: Fruity on the nose with red grapes, peaches and some banana. Notes of toffee, honey and a hint of ginger in the background.
Palate: Sweet start with honey and red grapes, but then warming and spicy with oak, ginger and a hint of cinnamon. Some toffee with slightly bitter orange peel towards the finish.
Finish: The finish is long and creamy with toffee and red grape jelly. Becomes increasingly dry towards the end with oak, ginger and a pinch of cinnamon.
With water: After adding a few drops of water, noticeably spicier on the nose with oak and ginger. Also some red grapes, honey, toffee and slightly bitter orange peel. The spicy warmth on the palate is clearly tamed and allows the fruit sweetness of red grapes to come more to the fore. Toffee, honey and a little cinnamon are added. The finish is a bit shorter with caramel and little grape jelly, accompanied by dry oak and bitter orange peel.
Comments: An intense single malt with a complex flavour. The finish in Ruby port pipes delivers notes of red grapes, but also spicy tones. Overall, the spicy and dry, fruity flavours predominate and clearly lack the creamy sweetness that I would have liked.

I thank The GlenAllachie Distillery for the complimentary sample and the photograph!

GlenAllachie 11yo, 2021, Pedro Ximenez Sherry Wood Finish
ABV: 48%
Region: Speyside
Price per bottle: °°
Bottling: Distillery
Cask type: American Oak Barrels, PX Sherry Cask Finish

Colour: Dark amber.
Nose: Sweet start on the nose with sherry, sultanas, dates and orange peel. In addition, brown sugar, honey, caramel and slightly floral tones. In the background, somewhat spicy notes of nutmeg and oak.
Palate: Sweetness on the palate with sultanas, sherry, caramel and honey. This is joined by pleasantly warming spices of oak, nutmeg and a hint of pepper, followed by ginger and dark chocolate.
Finish: The finish is long with honey and cocoa, then spicy with drying notes of orange peel, espresso and some oak.
With water: After adding water, continues to be sweet on the nose with honey, brown sugar and dates. Added floral notes, a slight oak spiciness and some herbs. Less sweet on the palate, but clearly more oak spice and peppery notes, accompanied by toffee and dark chocolate. The finish is still long with spicy oak, nutmeg, sultanas and espresso notes.
Comments: A full-bodied single malt with wonderful sherry flavours, sweet sultanas and warming spices. Together with notes of honey and dark chocolate, it ensures a lively pleasure experience. Pleasantly sweet, harmonious and eminently drinkable. However, by adding water, the spicy side of the whisky takes over.

I thank The GlenAllachie Distillery for the complimentary sample and the photograph!

GlenAllachie 13yo, 2021, Wine Series - Rioja Wine Cask Finish
ABV: 48%
Region: Speyside
Price per bottle: °°
Bottling: Distillery
Cask type: Bourbon Barrels, Rioja Wine Barrique Finish (6,000 btl.)

Colour: Reddish amber.
Nose: A beguiling scent of red fruit jelly and strawberries immediately rises to the nose. This is accompanied by notes of honey, orange peel and a hint of toffee. Somewhat spicy in the background with a hint of oak plus a touch of almonds.
Palate: Powerful on the palate with sweet and fruity red berries, plus malt sugar and some pink grapefruit. Spicier towards the finish with anise and forest honey.
Finish: The finish is long, warming and creamy with anise and slightly bitter notes of orange peel and pink grapefruit.
With water: After adding a few drops of water, more fruity on the nose with red berries, but also a little more spice. Malty sweetness with slightly bitter notes of orange peel and pink grapefruit in the background. Sweet and creamy on the palate with honey, strawberry and some grapefruit. Clearly less warming and less spice. The finish is medium long and creamy with oranges and some pink grapefruit.
Comments: This 13-year-old GlenAllachie with the Rioja wine finish convinces with its intoxicating fruit aromas of ripe red berries. These are joined by the typical notes of honey and orange. Surprisingly powerful on the palate, so that it can also be experimented with some water. My favourite of the three bottlings in the Wine Series so far.

I thank The GlenAllachie Distillery for the complimentary sample and the photograph!

GlenAllachie 12yo, 2021, Wine Series - Sauternes Wine Cask Finish
ABV: 48%
Region: Speyside
Price per bottle: °°
Bottling: Distillery
Cask type: Bourbon Barrels, Sauternes Wine Barrique Finish (6,000 btl.)

Colour: Gold.
Nose: Delightfully sweet and fruity on the nose with beguiling aromas of apricots, grapefruit, ripe yellow grapes and a hint of pineapple. This is joined by notes of vanilla, blossom honey and slightly bitter grape peels. In the background, a touch of white pepper with a hint of cinnamon.
Palate: Sweet and fruity also on the palate with apricot, pineapple, grapefruit and blossom honey. In addition, a slight alcoholic warmth with a discreet peppery note and some spicy oak.
Finish: The finish is long-lasting, creamy and warming with grapefruit, a slight nuttiness, subtle toasted flavours and a touch of almond.
With water: After adding a few drops of water, noticeably spicier on the nose with pepper and oak notes. In addition, less fruit aromas, some pineapple and creamy honey. Sweet and fruity on the palate with some pineapple and grapefruit. Overall spicier with notes of cinnamon, pepper and almonds. The finish is slightly shorter and noticeably drier with slightly bitter notes of grape seeds, grapefruit and spicy oak.
Comments: This 12-year-old GlenAllachie with its finish in Sauternes barrique casks impresses with its beguiling aroma of ripe yellow fruits and a wonderful sweetness. By adding water, this is lost in favour of distinctly spicier and drier notes, so that it can be safely omitted.

I thank The GlenAllachie Distillery for the complimentary sample and the photograph!

GlenAllachie 11yo, 2021, Wine Series - Grattamacco Wine Cask Finish
ABV: 48%
Region: Speyside
Price per bottle: °°
Bottling: Distillery
Cask type: Bourbon Barrels, Grattamacco Wine Barrique Finish (6,000 btl.)

Colour: Rosé wine.
Nose: Sweet start on the palate with honey, ripe peaches and red fruits - mainly strawberries. This is accompanied by an aromatic wine note with slightly bitter orange peel and some nutmeg.
Palate: Sweet and fruity also on the palate with toffee, honey, strawberries and peaches. This is accompanied by a warming spiciness of nutmeg and oak, which becomes more noticeable with the second sip. Slightly bitter notes of orange peel appear towards the finish.
Finish: The finish is long and creamy with sweet honey and toffee. With time it becomes a little drier with nutmeg, oak and bitter orange peel.
With water: After adding a few drops of water fresher on the nose with red fruits - mainly strawberries, honey, nutmeg and bitter orange peel. Overall less fruity. Still sweet on the palate with peach, red berries and honey. However, noticeably spicier and drier in the mouth with nutmeg, oak and a hint of dark chocolate. The finish is still long with wine flavours, dark chocolate, nutmeg and dry oak.
Comments: A successful finish with the Super Tuscan barrique casks. The wine aromas marry with the distillery character to create a beautiful symbiosis of red berries, ripe peaches and sweet honey. The oak spice adds a pleasantly warming mouthfeel. No need to add water.

I thank The GlenAllachie Distillery for the complimentary sample and the photograph!

GlenAllachie 13yo, 2007-2021, This Charming Dram
ABV: 50%
Region: Speyside
Price per bottle: °°°
Bottling: Uncharted Whisky
Cask type: 1st Fill Sherry Butt (799 btl.)

Colour: Gold.
Nose: Sweet and fruity on the nose with apricots, toffee, blossom honey and butterscotch. Very aromatic with floral notes, a touch of vanilla and some oak spice in the background.
Palate: Wonderfully sweet on the palate with toffee and yellow ripe fruits, mainly apricots. In addition, honey with vanilla and butterscotch, accompanied by a spicy oak note with cinnamon and some nutmeg.
Finish: The finish is medium long and pleasantly warming with toffee, some butterscotch, a hint of walnut and a subtle oak spiciness.
With water: After adding a few drops of water, clearly more floral notes on the nose, plus apricots and passion fruit, with sweet honey and less butterscotch notes. Clearly spicier on the palate with cinnamon, white pepper, oak and even some tobacco notes. Walnut and a touch of honey appear as well. Overall, clearly less sweet. The finish is still medium long and warming, with spicy notes of cinnamon, nutmeg and oak.
Comments: This Glenallachie from the new independent bottler Uncharted Whisky Co. convinces with its beguiling sweetness of yellow fruits, honey and butterscotch. The complete maturation in a first-fill sherry butt did not overpower the distillery character, which I like very much. The drinking strength of 50% abv is optimally chosen because after the addition of water, the Glenallachie clearly loses its sweetness and beguiling aromas. Truly a charming dram!

I thank deinwhisky.de for the complimentary sample and the photograph!

GlenAllachie 10yo, Cask Strength, Batch 5
ABV: 55.9%
Region: Speyside
Price per bottle: °°
Bottling: Distillery
Cask type: Pedro Ximénez & Oloroso Sherry Puncheons, Virgin Oak Casks and ex-Rioja Red Wine Casks

Colour: Reddish mahogany.
Nose: Sweet and fruity on the nose with oranges, peaches and some plums. This is joined by dried fruit, raisins and creamy caramel. Heather honey, a pinch of cinnamon, mocha and some oak spice in the background.
Palate: Sweet and creamy on the palate with heather honey, caramel, treacle and orange. Pleasantly warming with a slight alcoholic spiciness, but this subsides on the second sip. Subtle wine flavours, blackcurrants, cherries and plums with a touch of sherry notes emerge, followed by some cinnamon, nutmeg and dark chocolate towards the finish.
Finish: The finish is long lasting and pleasantly warming with slightly bitter tannins, cocoa, some oak spice, cinnamon and bitter orange zest, with a touch of almonds towards the end.
With water: After adding a few drops of water, lots of caramel, toffee and oranges on the nose, plus cinnamon and spicy oak notes. Sweet and creamy on the palate with heather honey, caramel, juicy oranges, vanilla cream, milk chocolate and fine tannins. The finish is still long, creamy with distinct oak structure, tannins, orange zest and mocha towards the end.
Comments: A wonderful, balanced and tasty single malt. The flavours of the individual casks harmonise very well with each other and result in a wonderful melange of sweetness, fruit, honey, chocolate and oak spice. A worthy successor to the legendary Batch No 4!

I thank The GlenAllachie Distillery for the complimentary sample and the photograph!

GlenAllachie 25yo, 2018
ABV: 48%
Region: Speyside
Price per bottle: °°°°°
Bottling: Distillery
Cask type: American Oak Casks, ex-PX & ex-Oloroso Sherry Casks

Colour: Copper.
Nose: Fruity start on the nose with ripe apricots and peaches, plus cherries and sultanas. This is accompanied by honey, some caramel and milk chocolate, with a leathery note and a hint of tobacco in the background.
Palate: Sweet and creamy on the palate with vanilla, yellow ripe fruit, mainly apricots, oranges and sultanas. This is followed by warming spices, white pepper, anise and spicy oak. Notes of dark chocolate and cocoa linger toward the finish.
Finish: The finish is medium to long with creamy dried fruit and a floral touch, then becomes dry with oak and spice.
With water: After adding a few drops of water it continues to be fruity on the nose with distinct notes of flowers and hay, plus a peppery spiciness. Strongly spicy and peppery on the palate with black pepper and dry oak, plus cocoa and very little of the wonderful fruit notes. The finish is medium long, warming and continues to be peppery, with some peach jam and light dry oak.
Comments: A surprisingly light and fresh, yet very harmonious and balanced single malt for the age of a quarter of a century. The sherry casks do not dominate here at all and convey notes of raisins, chocolate and cocoa. After 25 years, however, the oak spice is clearly noticeable. A dram for which you should take time to enjoy and which, at least from my point of view, does not tolerate water.

I thank Kirsch Import e.K. for the complimentary sample and The GlenAllachie Distillery for the photograph!

GlenAllachie 18yo, 2018
ABV: 46%
Region: Speyside
Price per bottle: °°
Bottling: Distillery
Cask type: American Oak Ex-Bourbon Barrels, ex-PX & ex-Oloroso Sherry Casks

Colour: Deep gold.
Nose: Sweet on the nose with vanilla and butterscotch. With time, citrus fruits emerge, accompanied by toffee, icing sugar, a touch of oak and ginger, with a pinch of cinnamon and marzipan in the background.
Palate: Creamy and sweet on the palate with honey, sultanas, peach and toffee. This is accompanied by a warming spiciness with oak, nutmeg and pepper. Some marzipan and traces of dark chocolate linger towards the finish.
Finish: The finish is long lasting, creamy sweet and warming with vanilla, fruit jam, toffee and some dry oak.
With water: After adding a few drops of water, more citrus fruits on the nose, accompanied by vanilla and toffee. Still sweet and creamy on the palate, but also clearly spicier with oak, pepper and nutmeg. Fruity with apricot and plums, some marzipan and a pinch of cinnamon. The finish is a little shorter, creamy and sweet with fruit jam and warming spices.
Comments: An uncomplicated, easy-drinking single malt from The GlenAllachie. A dram that may disappoint fans of (heavily) sherried whiskies, but which offers the opportunity to capture more subtle flavours that have not been overpowered by the sherry, such as honey, vanilla, toffee and yellow fruits. A whisky that is good to spend time with.

I thank Kirsch Import e.K. for the complimentary sample and The GlenAllachie Distillery for the photograph!

GlenAllachie 12yo, 2019, Pedro Ximenez Sherry Wood Finish
ABV: 48%
Region: Speyside
Price per bottle: °°
Bottling: Distillery
Cask type: American Oak Barrels, PX Sherry Cask Finish

Colour: Amber.
Nose: Sweet start on the nose with sherry, juicy sultanas, some banana, raisins and orange peel. Spicy notes of cinnamon, nutmeg and oak are added. With time, tones of dark chocolate and hazelnut cream linger in the background.
Palate: Subtle sweetness on the palate with toffee, ripe bananas and hazelnut cream. This is accompanied by pleasantly warming spices of oak, nutmeg and a touch of cinnamon, followed by caramel and dark chocolate.
Finish: The finish is of medium length, spicy and pleasantly warming with hazelnut cream, followed by dark chocolate, some oak and orange peel.
With water: After the addition of water a little fresher on the nose with more orange peel and spicy oak. The sherry and raisin aromas are more in the background. Sweet on the palate with sherry and orange peel, then becomes spicier with oak, nutmeg and some pepper. Accompanied by dark chocolate towards the finish. The finish is still of medium length, warming and creamy with toffee and dark chocolate.
Comments: A beautifully matured, full-bodied single malt with wonderful sherry aromas, some tropical fruits and warming spices. Together with a fresh kick of orange peel, this provides a lively pleasure experience, with dark chocolate notes delicately rounding off the finish. Excellent drinkable either neat or slightly diluted with water.

I thank The GlenAllachie Distillery for the complimentary photograph!

GlenAllachie 15yo, 2020
ABV: 46%
Region: Speyside
Price per bottle: °°
Bottling: Distillery
Cask type: Pedro Ximénez & Oloroso Sherry Hogsheads and Puncheons

Colour: Mahogany.
Nose: Rich and sweet on the nose with many dark fruits, rum sultanas and blood oranges. A touch of floral notes as well as spicy and Christmassy aromas of cinnamon, star anise and nutmeg. Dark chocolate and cocoa are added with slightly bitter notes of orange peel in the background.
Palate: Sweet and creamy on the palate with brown sugar, sherry and caramel. This is accompanied by warming spicy notes of cinnamon and nutmeg, followed by cocoa and chocolate covered orange slices. Some spicy oak and subtly toasted bread linger towards the finish.
Finish: The finish is long lasting and pleasantly warming with creamy, orange-fruity and chocolaty notes. Becomes drier with time with cocoa, nutmeg, orange zest and a touch of tobacco leaves.
With water: After adding a few drops of water more orange fruit on the nose with milk chocolate and brown sugar, accompanied by slightly bitter orange zest. Still sweet and creamy on the palate with orange jam, cinnamon and oak spice. It is slightly warming with notes of milk chocolate and a little nutmeg. The finish is of medium length, initially creamy with orange jam and milk chocolate. Becomes increasingly dry with notes of oak, cocoa and espresso.
Comments: A rich, full-bodied and multi-layered single malt from The GlenAllachie. The sherry casks gave this malt delicate chocolate notes and warming spices that harmonise perfectly with the dark fruit and juicy oranges. A dram bottled at perfect drinking strength that will make the heart of any sherry aficionado beat faster, and that of lovers of good single malts as well.

I thank The GlenAllachie Distillery for the complimentary photograph!

GlenAllachie 10yo, Cask Strength, Batch 4
ABV: 56.1%
Region: Speyside
Price per bottle: °°
Bottling: Distillery
Cask type: Pedro Ximénez & Oloroso Sherry Puncheons, and Virgin Oak Casks

Colour: Mahogany.
Nose: Starts with sherry aromas, dried fruit and raisins. This is accompanied by notes of cake dough, honey, blood oranges, spicy oak and cinnamon. In the background dark chocolate and cocoa.
Palate: Rich, full-bodied and powerful on the palate with a wonderful sweetness of sherry, molasses, juicy oranges, figs and dates. Accompanied by nicley warming spices of oak, cinnamon and nutmeg. Dark chocolate lingers towards the finish.
Finish: The finish is long lasting and warming with honey and slightly dry notes of cocoa, orange oil and oak. Additional slightly bitter tones of orange peel and walnuts.
With water: After the addition of water, the nose is wonderfully sweet and fruity with oranges and dates, accompanied by sherry and vanilla, milk chocolate, spicy oak, cinnamon and nutmeg. Sweet and creamy also on the palate with dark caramel, walnut and milk chocolate. Spicy notes of cinnamon, nutmeg and oak, as well as slightly dry tones of cocoa towards the finish. The finish is a little shorter and slightly warming with honey, some spices and dry cocoa.
Comments: The natural colour of this cask strength bottling promises a sherry cask influenced, but not overpowered whisky. Wonderful dark fruit notes combine with sherry sweetness and wintery spices to create a harmony on the nose and palate. This pleasure experience can be brought to perfection by a cracking open fire. A delicious malt!

I thank The GlenAllachie Distillery for the complimentary sample and the photograph!

GlenAllachie 21yo, 2020, Batch Number One
ABV: 51.4%
Region: Speyside
Price per bottle: °°°°
Bottling: Distillery
Cask type: Five Pedro Ximénez Sherry Puncheons & Hogsheads from 1997 and 1998 (1,600 btl.)

Colour: Mahogany.
Nose: Rich sherry aromas flow immediately into the nose, accompanied by Christmas cake, dark fruit and juicy oranges. Delicious spices of cinnamon and nutmeg mix with lots of cocoa and dark chocolate. Candied orange peel, notes of walnuts and a hint of tobacco leaves linger in the background. Wow - what a fantastic nose.
Palate: On the palate also immediately the classic sherry aromas with sweet Christmas cake, stewed plums and oranges. In addition warming spices of cinnamon, nutmeg and oak. The creaminess is increasingly replaced by dry cocoa notes and dark chocolate.
Finish: The finish is long-lasting and pleasantly warming. Creamy, almost sticky fruit jam mingles with dry oak spice, ginger, cocoa notes and subtle walnut. Wonderful!
With water: After adding a few drops of water fresher on the nose with lots of juicy oranges, butterscotch, orange blossom and milk chocolate. This is accompanied by cinnamon and notes of walnut in the background. Continues to be wonderfully sweet on the palate with oranges, heather honey and fruit cake, accompanied by dark chocolate. Discreetly warming with spicy tones of cinnamon, nutmeg and some ginger. The finish is still long, pleasantly warming and creamy with butterscotch, orange marmalade and chocolate. Subtle oak spice and a touch of walnut towards the end.
Comments: A really excellent dram. What I particularly like about this single malt is that it is not overpowered by the sherry. Obviously those PX casks were selected that provided great chocolate aromas to the maturing whisky. The result is an outstanding balance of dark fruit, cocoa and chocolate as well as pleasantly warming spices. A symbiosis of flavours that results in a truly delicious pleasure experience. Well done!

I thank The GlenAllachie Distillery for the complimentary sample and the photograph!

GlenAllachie 12yo, 2020, Virgin Oak Series - Spanish Virgin Oak
ABV: 48%
Region: Speyside
Price per bottle: °°
Bottling: Distillery
Cask type: American Oak Ex-Bourbon Barrels, Spanish Virgin Oak Finish (6,600 btl.)

Colour: Bright gold.
Nose: Spicy on the nose with honey, orange and ginger. This is accompanied by fruity notes of orange and exotic fruit, mainly coconut. In the background, spicy oak resonates.
Palate: Initially spicy on the palate, dry and slightly astringent. Then sweet honey, followed by orange and coconut aromas. Slightly warming with ginger, white pepper and creamy milk chocolate. Some oak towards the finish.
Finish: The finish is of medium length, slightly dry and spicy, with creamy milk chocolate, notes of bitter orange peel, ginger and dry oak spice.
With water: After the addition of water, notes of creamy milk chocolate on the nose, followed by exotic fruits and some coconut. Spicy hints of white pepper and ginger. Spicy and creamy at the same time on the palate with oak, ginger, honey, vanilla, milk chocolate and a touch of coconut. The finish is still of medium length with dry and spicy notes of oak, ginger, orange peel and tannins.
Comments: This GlenAllachie Single Malt with the Spanish virgin oak finish is clearly the spiciest of the three. Very tasty and multi-layered on the nose and palate, but much more spicy, dry and astringent than its French oak or Chinquapin oak counterpart. The fruit aromas and sweet notes do not really unfold here. For those who like it spicy and dry, however, this dram is just the right thing.

I thank Kirsch Import e.K. for the complimentary sample and The GlenAllachie Distillery for the photograph!

GlenAllachie 12yo, 2020, Virgin Oak Series - Chinquapin Virgin Oak
ABV: 48%
Region: Speyside
Price per bottle: °°
Bottling: Distillery
Cask type: American Oak Ex-Bourbon Barrels, Chinquapin Virgin Oak Finish (6,600 btl.)

Colour: Amber.
Nose: Sweet honey notes mingle with caramel and creamy toffee on the nose, followed by vanilla and orange oil. Slightly spicy with nutmeg and oak, mixed with milk chocolate. Very pleasant!
Palate: Also sweet on the palate with honey and orange notes. This is accompanied by warming spices with nutmeg and pepper. Becomes creamier with fruit jam, orange peel and a fine nuttiness.
Finish: The finish is of medium length, warming and spicy at the same time with oak and nutmeg, followed by honey, hazelnut and slightly bitter notes of orange peel.
With water: After adding a few drops of water, the nose becomes more spicy with nutmeg and pepper, along with caramel, dark chocolate and coffee notes, even some liquorice in the background. Sweet and creamy, but also spicier on the palate with toffee, dark caramel, coffee and dark chocolate notes. Overall less warming. The finish is still medium and creamy with some orange oil, oak spice and slightly bitter notes of dark chocolate and cocoa.
Comments: A delicious single malt, this time with less fruit but more toffee, caramel and chocolate notes. The virgin oak finish brings a dense oak spiciness that harmonises well with the remaining sweet aromas. A dram to relax and enjoy.

I thank Kirsch Import e.K. for the complimentary sample and The GlenAllachie Distillery for the photograph!

GlenAllachie 12yo, 2020, Virgin Oak Series - French Virgin Oak
ABV: 48%
Region: Speyside
Price per bottle: °°
Bottling: Distillery
Cask type: American Oak Ex-Bourbon Barrels, French Virgin Oak Finish (6,600 btl.)

Colour: Deep gold to amber.
Nose: Sweet on the nose with honey, toffee and orange blossom, accompanied by delicious vanilla. Spicy notes of nutmeg and a little oak are joined by a touch of coffee aromas in the back.
Palate: A pleasant, creamy sweetness is immediately noticeable on the palate with toffee, forest honey and caramel. Then immediately follows a warming spiciness of nutmeg and oak. The creamy sweetness is gradually accompanied by slightly bitter notes, especially orange oil, coffee, and some pink grapefruit.
Finish: The finish is long lasting and lovely warming with dark caramel notes, a pinch of cinnamon and some nutmeg. Becomes a bit drier towards the end with slightly spicy oak and cocoa.
With water: After adding a few drops of water, the nose becomes more spicy with honey, caramel, coffee notes, oak and a little pepper. Still creamy and sweet on the palate, but also spicier with more dry notes of caramel and tannins. The finish is slightly shorter and warming with prickling oak spice, tannins and cocoa towards the end.
Comments: A harmonious single malt bottling from The GlenAllachie. Delightfully sweet notes of honey, vanilla and caramel complement spicy oak, soft tannins and dry cocoa/coffee aromas to create a pleasantly warming and comforting drinking experience. A dram to enjoy, relax and dream, and perfectly bottled with an alcohol content of 48%.

I thank Kirsch Import e.K. for the complimentary sample and The GlenAllachie Distillery for the photograph!

Glenallachie 24yo, 1995-2020, Private Cellars Selection
ABV: 56.5%
Region: Speyside
Price per bottle: °°°
Bottling: The Whisky Cellar
Cask type: American Oak ex-Bourbon Hogshead (#10, 227 btl.)

GlenAllachie 10yo, 2009-2020
ABV: 57.8%
Region: Speyside
Price per bottle: °°
Bottling: Distillery (exclusively bottled for deinwhisky.de)
Cask type: Oloroso Sherry Puncheon (#5584, 678 btl.)

Colour: Mahogany.
Nose: A typical sherry cask matured whisky with a potpourri of steamed dark fruit, raisins, dates and some blood orange on the nose. Sweet with brown sugar and sherry, followed by oak spice, tobacco leaves, cigar box and a subtle herbal note.
Palate: Sweet with sherry and a creamy compote of dark, ripe fruit. Then pleasantly warming with oak spice, nutmeg, brown sugar and some cinnamon. A touch of bitter orange with dark chocolate, cocoa and subtle walnut linger towards the finish.
Finish: The finish is long lasting, warming and initially creamy sweet. Then it dries slightly with grapefruit, dark chocolate, coffee aroma and a subtle nutty note.
With water: After adding a few drops of water, a little more freshness on the nose with dark fruit, rum raisins, sherry, brown sugar and notes of old leather. Wonderfully sweet and creamy on the palate with fruit jam, raisins and figs. These are joined by notes of dark toffee, cinnamon and a little walnut. Overall less warming. The finish is still long and creamy, becoming dry towards the end with cocoa, coffee aroma and a touch of walnut.
Comments: What the wonderful colour of this Oloroso Sherry Puncheon matured single cask bottling may suggest is fully confirmed by nose and palate. A voluminous single malt with a potpourri of dark ripe fruit, creamy sweetness, fine tobacco notes, dark chocolate and warming spices. The alcohol is well integrated - but it is still worth playing with water, as it makes the GlenAllachie even more sweet and creamy.  For me a lovely dram and certainly something for the sherry aficionados, too.

I thank deinwhisky.de for the complimentary sample and the photograph!

GlenAllachie 9yo, 2020, Rye Wood Finish
ABV: 48%
Region: Speyside
Price per bottle: °°
Bottling: Distillery
Cask type: American Oak Casks, Rye Wood Finish

Colour: Pale gold.
Nose: A fruity and spicy mix of apples, cinnamon and nutmeg on the nose, followed by honey and some butterscotch. A hint of orange zest in the background.
Palate: Full-bodied, rich and sweet on the palate with apples and honey, accompanied by cinnamon, nutmeg cloves and spicy oak aromas.
Finish: The finish is of medium length, spicy with nutmeg and cinnamon as well as apple compote and a touch of dry oak.
With water: More lively and prickling on the nose as soon as a few drops of water are added. Bright fruit with honey and floral notes. More tamed and less sweet on the palate with more spices - rye notes, cinnamon and cloves. The finish is still of medium length, but much more spicy and dry with oak, clove and nutmeg.
Comments: A successful mix of spice and sweetness. The rye finish provides dry spices that wonderfully complement the fruity distillery character of GlenAllachie. It is best enjoyed undiluted, as the fruity sweetness disappears when water is added and the spiciness gains the upper hand.

I thank Kirsch Import e.K. for the complimentary sample and the photograph!

GlenAllachie 11yo, 2020, Moscatel Wood Finish
ABV: 48%
Region: Speyside
Price per bottle: °°
Bottling: Distillery
Cask type: American Oak Casks, Moscatel Wood Finish

Colour: Gold.
Nose: Fruity aromas immediately rise to the nose, such as grape, peach, apricot and pineapple. Really intoxicating. Honey and white chocolate notes are added, accompanied by floral tones.
Palate: Sweet, fruity and creamy on the palate with peaches and oranges, a touch of grapefruit, warming spices and cinnamon. Dark chocolate and mocha nicely linger towards the finish.
Finish: The finish is long lasting with creamy honey. Becomes increasingly chocolaty with distinct mocha notes.
With water: Much more fruity on the nose after adding some water. Peach, apricot, passion fruit and more citric aromas. Sweet and creamy on the palate with a little less fruit. Slightly warming with cinnamon and creamy chocolate. The finish is medium long with lots of dark chocolate, cocoa and a touch of espresso.
Comments: A deliciously fruity and honey-sweet single malt from the latest Wood Finish series by GlenAllachie. After final maturation in Moscatel casks, the distillery character is enhanced by the characteristic notes of the Muscat grape, thus providing a balanced, fruity, fresh summer dram with optimum drinking strength.

I thank Kirsch Import e.K. for the complimentary sample and the photograph!

GlenAllachie 11yo, 2020, Port Wood Finish
ABV: 48%
Region: Speyside
Price per bottle: °°
Bottling: Distillery
Cask type: American Oak Barrels, Ruby Port Wood Finish

Colour: Ruby red.
Nose: The nose starts off with ripe red fruits, creamy fruit compote with plums, followed by vanilla, a sweet spice and dark chocolate in the background.
Palate: Sweet and powerful on the palate with a mix of red fruits: cherries, plums and berries. Warming spicy notes with delicate dark chocolate towards the finish.
Finish: The finish is long lasting and creamy with sticky red fruit jam. It dries out towards the end with fine cocoa.
With water: Fresher and tingly on the nose after adding a few drops of water. The wonderful red fruit aromas are accompanied by considerably more dark chocolate. Beery, creamy and fruity on the palate with a restrained spiciness. Here too, there are clearly more chocolaty notes. The finish is slightly shorter with lots of dark chocolate and dry notes of espresso.
Comments: A luscious, fruity single malt with delicate chocolate notes. The port wine casks gave this whisky, in addition to its great ruby red colour, nice red fruit aromas, accompanied by sweet spices and lots of dark chocolate. These chocolate notes increase considerably more after adding water. A liquid dessert after a good meal.

I thank Kirsch Import e.K. for the complimentary sample and the photograph!

Glenallachie 11yo, Local Dealer Selection - 2nd Edition, 2018
ABV: 62.8%
Region: Speyside
Price per bottle: °°
Bottling: Signatory Vintage
Cask type: First Fill Sherry Hogshead (#900178, 306 btl.)

Colour: Dark mahogany (almost black).
Nose: A potpourri of stewed dark fruits, plums in armagnac and Christmas pudding. Sweet with Demerara sugar and sherry, followed by a delicate spiciness of oak, cinnamon and tobacco leaves.
Palate: Fruity and sweet with a load of stewed fruits and sherry, followed by brown sugar and dark chocolate. Very warming mix of spices - oak in particular, tobacco leaves and cinnamon. Slightly bitter notes of walnuts and espresso linger towards the finish. Extremely mouthfilling.
Finish: The finish is long lasting, sweet and creamy with sticky fruit jam, coffee aroma and a delicate nuttiness.
With water: Becomes spicier when a splash of water is added. Still sweet and fruity with more tobacco notes in the back. Sweet and fruity on the palate with an increased spiciness (oak, black pepper and nutmeg) and far more nutty flavours. The finish is still long, sweet and creamy with dry notes of oak, walnut and tobacco on the tail.
Comments: What the colour suggests nose and palate fully deliver. This GlenAllachie is incredibly rich and complex for its only 11 years. A potpourri of dark ripe fruits, chocolate, tobacco notes and loads of spices. The alcohol is very well integrated - perceptible, but not pungent at all. The ideal companion at the end of a successful day in front of the open fire. Certainly a must have for the sherry aficionado.

GlenAllachie 12yo, 2018
ABV: 46%
Region: Speyside
Price per bottle: °
Bottling: Distillery
Cask type: Oloroso, Pedro Ximénez and Virgin Oak Casks

Colour: Gold.
Nose: The nose starts off with lots of tropical fruits - banana, apricot and mango in particular. This is followed by butterscotch, plenty of vanilla, subtle sherry, raisins and a hint of floral notes. Spicy in the back with cinnamon and a whiff of oak.
Palate: Sweet and fruity on the palate with honey, citrus and banana. Then the spiciness arrives with oak, ginger, white pepper and subtle cinnamon. Creamy honey and vanilla nicely mingle with some tropical fruits - apricots and pineapple - towards the finish. Nicely mouthfilling.
Finish: The finish shows good length with creamy honey and chocolate notes, followed by some floral tones and a touch of dry oak on the tail.
With water: Intoxicating nose with tropical fruits when a few drops of water are added. The sweetness is a bit tamed on the palate while more spiciness with oak, pepper, ginger and cinnamon come to the fore. Still creamy honey in the back. The finish is medium long, creamy with vanilla and honey, but fairly dry with oak spice.
Comments: What an impressive new standard bottling of GlenAllachie. It's like walking through an exotic orchard on a glorious summer's day. Intoxicating aromas of fruit, accompanied by creamy vanilla, honey and slightly warming spices. Nothing dominates, nothing disturbs. A wonderful variety of aromas at an extremely attractive price.

I thank Kirsch Whisky - The House of Whiskies for the complimentary sample and the photograph!