The GlenAllachie recently rolled out its first new Wood Collection expressions in their refreshed packaging. We’ve had some virgin oak finishes for instance, but this time the subject is close to my heart: sherry casks. The series will consist of the same whisky finished in six different types of sherry casks, three of which have been released now. The other three are expected later this year.
For the first trio the distillery used Fino sherry hogsheads, Amontillado sherry hogsheads and Oloroso sherry butts. Until now The GlenAllachie focused on Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez for their whiskies. All these bottlings cost around € 60 / £ 60.
Later this year, I guess we can expect Palo Cortado, Cream and Pedro Ximénez?
GlenAllachie 9 yo – Fino Sherry Cask Finish (48%, OB ‘Wood Collection’ 2024)
Nose: quite nice, not too young. Apple sweetness (starting acidic and green, later golden), some almond character and hints of hay. Then some creamy vanilla custard and peach aromas, with fresh oak. Light floral touches and whiffs of coconut as well. Not very recognizable as a Fino bottling, but it is a fresh, modern Speyside composition.
Mouth: still fairly fruity – the coconut / peach combo with heather honey makes it quite sweet. The roundness is highlighted by hints of caramelized walnuts, biscuits and marzipan. Then it gets drier, mostly because wood spice sets in, like nutmeg and ginger. A slightly harsh, cereally edge in the end.
Finish: medium length, more spices with caramel sweetness in the background.
Would I recommend this to people who really want to learn what Fino sherry is all about? Certainly not. Instead of a dry, salty wine influence, you get a much sweeter wood-driven style that feels a little out of place. That said, it makes for a nicely drinkable daily sipper with a good price / quality balance, and we’re scoring it only for this achievement. Already available from The Whisky Exchange or Tyndrum Whisky for instance.
GlenAllachie 9 yo – Amontillado Sherry Cask Finish (48%, OB ‘Wood Collection’ 2024)
Mouth: fairly neutral, in the sense that the wood spice does most of the talking. Ginger, white pepper and cinnamon. Then yellow plums and apples in the background, evolving to brown sugar and caramelized nuts. The woody side is quite loud now.
Finish: medium length, with oak in the lead. Orange peels, cinnamon and brown sugar as it fades.
Again, the sherry casks must have been fairly young with a quick seasoning. This one is slightly more autumnal (and therefore more typically Amontillado), with a firm caramelly side. I prefer the freshness of the Fino but this exceeds expectations for a single digit expression. Available from Loch Fyne or The Whisky Exchange for instance. Score: 83/100
GlenAllachie 9 yo – Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish (48%, OB ‘Wood Collection’ 2024)
Mouth: the sherry influence is full of chocolate and treacle, leaving a dark impression with less (bright) fruits than I’d like. Caramel, cinnamon syrup and raisins. Overall a good balance of dark and earthy sweetness, dryness and the peppery wood. Soft leathery notes too.
Finish: slightly longer than the others, still offering the dry character of Oloroso. Cocoa and wood spice with a slightly fragrant touch.
This one stands out more and has more sherry character altogether. I like the fact that it underscores the drier side of Oloroso. On the other hand, this is the Wood Collection after all so there’s a good deal of youngish, active oak involved. Available from Master of Malt or The Whisky Exchange among others. Score: 84/100