The GlenAllachie 15-Year Single Malt Scotch Review

 

The GlenAllachie (pronounced Glen-Alla-Key) is a relatively new Speyside distillery that's seen many ownership changes in its 54 years. Founded in 1967, it has been open, closed, mothballed, reopened, used for strictly blends for Chivas Bros., then sold off in 2017 to its current owners, The GlenAllachie Distillers Company, run by Billy Walker, Trisha Savage, and Graham Stevenson. Walker is its current Master Blender.

The GDC completely revamped things with a plan to release whiskies bottled at no less than 46% ABV and are both naturally colored and non-chill filtered. It also allows 160 hours of fermentation time, claiming it gives them additional time to study what's in the tank. The campus is home to 16 warehouses holding 50,000 barrels of whisky!

  

Today I’m pouring The GlenAllachie 15 Year. It is a single malt Scotch that aged in both Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry hogsheads and puncheons. Bottled at 46% ABV (90°), you can find it for about $90.00.

 

“Almost four years since we formed the GlenAllachie Distillers Company, bringing the distillery back into private ownership, we released the very special expression as an extension of our core range. Our Master Distiller, Billy Walker, has worked tirelessly on perfecting this expression since day one; evaluating casks and refining recipes to create something special. We’re proud to present the jewel in our crown; the GlenAllachie 15 years old.” – The GlenAllachie

 

Before I get to the tasting notes, I’d like to thank ImpEx Beverages, the USA distributor for The GlenAllachie, for providing a sample of this whisky in exchange for a no-strings-attached, honest review. Now, it is time to #DrinkCurious.

 

Appearance: Poured neat in my Glencairn glass, GlenAllachie 15 presented as deep, luxurious mahogany. It formed a medium rim and sticky legs glued to the wall.

 

Nose: There was no mistaking the sherry influence. Aromas of raisin, apricot, red grape, chocolate, and thick caramel teased the olfactory sense. When I pulled the vapor into my mouth, I tasted honey and raisin.

 

Palate:  With my first sip, the mouthfeel was almost chewy. It had a full body that filled every crevice of my mouth. The front of the palate offered plum, raisin, and dry oak. The middle featured dark chocolate, brown sugar, and honey. Then, I experienced leather, pipe tobacco, and molasses on the back.

 

Finish:  Medium-to-long in duration, the finish kept flavors of oak, dark chocolate, old leather, molasses, and the kind of rum-soaked fruitcake people fight over. Notably missing, however, was any semblance of sherry.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust:  If you planned to create a nuclear sherry bomb that had a short half-life, you’d have GlenAllachie 15. I enjoyed the sherry influence on the nose and palate. The fruitcake finish was delightful. It might have been nice to have the sherry remain throughout the tasting, but c'est la vie. Laying down $90.00 for a 15-year is on the upper end of what I’d pay, but I’ll still give this one a Bottle rating because, well, it is just that good. Cheers!

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit but begs you do so responsibly.