Glenallachie 11 Year (2007), Signatory Vintage for The Whisky Barrel
Whisky: Glenallachie 11 Year (2007), Signatory Vintage for The Whisky Barrel
Country/Region: Scotland/Speyside
ABV: 61.3%
Cask: First Fill Sherry Hogshead
Age: 11 Year (Distilled 23 April 2007, Bottled 21 Feb. 2019)
Nose: Stewed stone fruits, cinnamon candies, spirited prickle, plums, overripe mango, hints of mint and celeriac.
Palate: Medium-bodied, sweet, spirited, ripe berries, stewed stone fruit, cinnamon and licorice candies, strawberry soda, honey, sweet peppers.
Finish: Medium-length sweet fruit with hints of leather.
Score: 6
Mental Image: Sugary Onslaught
Narrative & Notes: The aroma was rich with dried fruit, spice, and a spirited prickle that cleared the nasal passages. Cinnamon candies, slightly melted from the summer heat, appeared with plums, overripe mangos, and hints of mint and celeriac— a slighty anise but certainly earthy-vegetal note. Medium-bodied, the spirit was loaded with sweet fruit and bright spice. A touch hot without water, ripe red berries and stewed stone fruits rolled across the palate with a tingling cinnamon and licorice spice. The sugary malt crescendoed toward strawberry or raspberry soda with hints of honey and slightly charred sweet peppers. The finish was medium-length, with sweet fruits and hints of leather. Water smoothed out the mouthfeel and brought out more chocolate with the fruit and spice.
A simple sherry-driven dram, this Glenallachie was a tad hot at cask strength, but a few drops of water smoothed it out wonderfully. I have no deep thoughts here— this was dripping with sweet sherry notes, and there was not much more going on the glass. The flavors were well-integrated without any off notes. For those who love an aggressive sherry cask, this will no doubt score a few pegs higher.
Image Credit: The Whisky Barrel