We tried the GlenAllachie 12 Years PX finish some time ago, and now it’s time for the youngest expression in their wood finishes series. The GlenAllachie 8 Year Old Koval rye quarter cask finish. Rye and quarter casks, are we aiming for a spicy dram?
GlenAllachie 8 yo – Koval rye quarter cask wood finish (48%, OB 2019)
Nose: lightly fragrant sweetness at first, some freshly sawn wood and cinnamon buns. Pepper and nutmeg follow. Vanilla and honey. Hints of panettone and beer.
Mouth: obvious wood wizardry, but in a nice way and with rather less punch than expected. Lemon candy, vanilla, then pepper, clove and ginger. Sweet apples. Herbal tea.
Finish: closer to actual rye bread now, still high on the spices, mainly ginger.
Wood spice to the fore, as expected from a rye quarter cask, I guess. Mind you, the end result is more interesting than the age would suggest so you could say mission accomplished. Available from Green Welly Stop or Master of Malt for instance.
Score: 82/100