The latest Glenallachie 35Y

The GlenAllachie 35-Year-Old: A Masterpiece from Speyside

The GlenAllachie 35-Year-Old is an impressive addition to the portfolio of this beloved distillery located in the heart of Scotland’s Speyside region. Distilled in 1989 and bottled in 2024, this whisky has matured for 35 years in carefully selected casks, embodying the essence of traditional whisky craftsmanship combined with innovative aging techniques. With only 1,700 bottles available and an alcohol content of 48%, this is a rare and extraordinary whisky that appeals to both connoisseurs and collectors alike.

GlenAllachie: A Distillery with History

Founded in 1967, GlenAllachie is relatively young compared to some of its Scottish counterparts. Despite its youth, the distillery quickly gained a reputation for producing high-quality single malt whiskies. Initially, much of the whisky produced was intended for blends, but since Billy Walker acquired the distillery in 2017, GlenAllachie has focused on developing single malts that enjoy worldwide acclaim.

GlenAllachie’s success is largely attributed to Billy Walker's vision and expertise. Walker, an icon in the whisky world, boasts over 50 years of experience and has transformed GlenAllachie into a distillery known for its rich, complex, and well-balanced whiskies. Under his leadership, the emphasis has been placed on cask selection and maturation, enabling GlenAllachie to produce whiskies of exceptional quality.

The GlenAllachie 35-Year-Old: A Deep and Complex Flavor Experience

What makes the GlenAllachie 35-Year-Old so special is the complexity of its flavor, resulting from careful maturation in three different types of casks: Pedro Ximénez (PX) sherry casks, Oloroso sherry casks, and virgin oak casks. Each of these casks contributes to the unique flavor profiles that make this whisky stand out.

PX Sherry Casks

Pedro Ximénez (PX) sherry casks are known for their ability to impart rich, sweet flavors such as raisins, dates, figs, and caramel to whisky. The influence of these casks is clearly evident in the GlenAllachie 35-Year-Old. The deep sweetness and luxurious texture derived from the PX cask create a decadent and warming experience. It provides the whisky with a velvety mouthfeel, layered with complex notes of fruit and spice.

Oloroso Sherry Casks

Oloroso sherry casks introduce another kind of richness to the whisky. They add dry, nutty tones like walnut, almond, and even a hint of tobacco. This type of cask typically matures whiskies with dried fruit notes such as plums and raisins, but with a drier finish compared to PX casks. In the GlenAllachie 35-Year-Old, the Oloroso cask contributes balance and depth, tempering the sweetness of the PX casks and bringing forth a more mature, refined flavor.

Virgin Oak Casks

The third component in the maturation process of the GlenAllachie 35-Year-Old is the virgin oak cask. These are new oak barrels that have not been previously used for aging whisky or other spirits. Virgin oak casks often impart a fresh, woody flavor, with notes of vanilla, spices, and a certain zestiness. This influence adds a lively dynamic to the whisky, ensuring that the richness of the sherry casks does not become overwhelming. The result is a perfectly balanced whisky that feels both rich and fresh.

Tasting Notes

The GlenAllachie 35-Year-Old offers a truly complex and layered tasting experience that tantalizes both the nose and the palate.

• Nose: The first impression on the nose is strikingly sweet, with notes of ripe figs, dates, and raisins, likely derived from the PX sherry casks. This is followed by subtle nuttiness, with walnut and almond mingling with hints of dark chocolate and a touch of tobacco, a clear contribution from the Oloroso casks. There is also a slight hint of vanilla and spices, indicating the influence of the virgin oak cask.

• Palate: On the palate, the whisky is full and lush. The sweet, rich fruits such as plums, figs, and dark berries fill the palate, while the nutty and spicy notes from the Oloroso casks add depth and complexity. The vanilla and wood spices from the virgin oak cask provide a refreshing contrast and give the whisky a lively and dynamic quality. As the whisky develops further on the palate, subtle hints of dark chocolate, coffee, and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg emerge.

• Finish: The finish is long and warming, with a beautiful balance between sweetness and spiciness. The rich sherry flavors linger, while the fresh woody notes from the virgin oak cask provide a clean, dry conclusion.

A Rare Whisky for Collectors and Enthusiasts

With only 1,700 bottles produced, the GlenAllachie 35-Year-Old is an exceptionally limited release. This rarity makes it a coveted item for both whisky collectors and enthusiasts looking for something unique and exclusive. The long maturation period of 35 years means this whisky is a rare example of patience and craftsmanship. It is a whisky that is not encountered every day and, once tasted, will leave a lasting impression.

The decision to bottle this whisky at 48% alcohol was a deliberate one. This alcohol percentage strikes a perfect balance between strength and drinkability, allowing the rich flavors of the whisky to shine without the alcohol being overpowering. For those who prefer an even more intense experience, the whisky can be enjoyed with a few drops of water to open up the flavors and reveal more nuances.

Conclusion

The GlenAllachie 35-Year-Old is an excellent representation of what this distillery in Speyside has to offer. It is a whisky that manages to find the perfect balance between sweetness, spiciness, and wood influences, thanks to the careful maturation in PX, Oloroso, and virgin oak casks. The depth and complexity of this whisky make it a true treat for the senses, while its limited availability and long aging time make it a rare and valuable addition to any serious whisky enthusiast's collection.

Whether you are a seasoned collector or simply a lover of exceptional whiskies, the GlenAllachie 35-Year-Old offers a tasting experience that is both worth the time and the investment. This whisky embodies GlenAllachie's commitment and passion for creating world-class single malts and is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone fortunate enough to secure a bottle.