Whisky: Glenallachie 15 Year

Country/Region: Scotland/Speyside

ABV: 46%

Cask: Oloroso and PX Sherry Hogsheads and Puncheons

Age: 15 Years (Bottled 11 Sept. 2020)

Nose: Big, bold sherry fruits with teases of citrus zest; stewed plums and cherries with a good dash of brown sugar, a hint of anise and baking spices with orange and lemon rind in the background; lacquered wood and leather with a hint of linoleum brought to mind cherry pie in an old-fashioned dinner.

Palate: Medium to light-bodied, slightly oily, sherried fruits with a gentle woodiness, plums and cherries, peppercorns; hints of anise, orange rind, and ginger, lacquered wood, a kiss of bitterness and dark chocolate toward the end.

Finish: Medium-length with peppercorns, stewed fruit sauce, and oak.

Score: 5-6

Mental Image: Late-Night Diner Pie

Narrative & Notes: Gentle and drinkable, this was the sort of inoffensive sherry-driven malt that one could enjoy during just about any occasion but which might be a tad peppery and spirited for someone brand new to whisky. The savory and sweet elements were well-balanced, and the ever-present wood stayed mainly in the background, accenting a bubbling pot of cherries and plums.

I initially tried this blind and guessed it was a young teenage sherry forward malt from Glenfarclas or Glenallachie and bottled around 46-48%. I was not far off this time, and I had the Glenallachie 15 Year in my glass. I suppose I was vaguely correct on the age and distillery— I did write Glenfarclas first— but I was right on the casking and abv.

Overall, if I had blindly written a review of Glenallachie 15 Year without ever trying it and just guessing what it would be like— this is probably about what I would have come up with. It met my expectations and likely exceeded them, as I thought this was reasonably quaffable and approachable. If anything, this felt like the perfect gift bottle for someone exploring different whisky profiles or looking for something more complex than their usual fare.

Image Credit: my buddy Scotch&Sheen, check out his review.