The GlenAllachie frequently provides single casks to retailers. Just a few days ago The Whisky Exchange announced this GlenAllachie 2009, a 14 year old single malt taken from a single sherry cask. We hope it’s on the same level as the great cask #901042 for instance. Also, I must say I like the new livery for single casks.
Most of the time this distillery discloses the type of sherry used (Oloroso / PX) but in this case the label simply mention sherry butt. Maybe they re-racked at some point? The outturn is quite low as well, corresponding to a half butt? Why am I asking all these questions? Does it really matter? Isn’t it time for some tasting notes already?
GlenAllachie 14 yo 2009 (60,3%, OB for The Whisky Exchange 2024, sherry butt #900609, 261 btl.)
Nose: starts really well, on strawberries, prunes and cherries. Some heady notes of crushed mint leaves and fresh leather, as well as darker notes of chocolate and tobacco leaves in the background. Then cinnamon, raisins and caramelized hazelnuts. The sweet maltiness of the spirit shows underneath. Classic and elegant.
Mouth: still impressively fresh, with hints of robust cognac shining through. Then furniture polish, juicy plums and whiffs of raspberry, as well as red apples and blackberries. Hints of spiced honey, ginger and a drop of balsamic, moving towards dark chocolate and roasted chestnuts in the end.
Finish: good length, on toffee and mocha, earthy wood spice, mint and raisins.
The fruitiness and vibrant aromatics make the nose really worthwhile. It gets darker and more robust on the palate, but always with a nice fresh side to it. A really good pick. Exclusively available from The Whisky Exchange.