FIRST PEATED WHISKY CONCLUDES
50TH ANNIVERSARY TRILOGY
GlenAllachie’s accredited whisky master Billy Walker concludes anniversary celebrations by
releasing maiden peated distillate as final expression in commemorative series
The GlenAllachie Distillers Company today reveals the last bottling in The Past, Present & Future Series as the first ever distillate produced under their ownership: The GlenAllachie Billy Walker 50th Anniversary Future Edition 4-year-old Peated Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
The celebratory series, which launched in May, pays tribute to foremost whisky maker Billy Walker’s extraordinary 50-year-long stint in the Scotch whisky industry. Each instalment in the trilogy has been carefully selected to reflect a key milestone in the expert blender’s career.
The Future Edition (UK RRSP £80), a young and punchy 4-year-old peated single malt, offers whisky enthusiasts the chance to sip and speculate on possible subsequent bottlings from The GlenAllachie Distillery following Walker’s takeover in 2017.
The historic release represents the first whisky bottled by the distillery to have been created under Walker and impacted by his production modifications. These include an 80% production drop, which allows for greater supervision throughout the maturation journey, and facilitates an increase in fermentation duration to 160 hours creating an ester-rich spirit with thicker mouthfeel.
Since spearheading The GlenAllachie, Walker began producing peated spirit for around six weeks annually to diversify the distillery’s offering and unleash new opportunities for innovation and experimentation.
Matured in former Rye and Bourbon barrels, as well as virgin oak casks, the feisty 4-year-old Scotch whisky selected for The Future Edition remained under careful supervision within one of the distillery’s 16 on-site warehouses in Speyside.
Made with mainland peat from St Fergus, the flavour contribution is sweeter with distinguishing oaky tones in contrast to the more medicinal or maritime notes anticipated of a coastal peat.
The barley was kilned to 80ppm (parts per million) offering up distinctive smoky yet sweet flavour characteristics: smouldering oak, cinnamon apples and chocolate-covered hazelnuts, alongside puffs of earthy peat smoke.
The momentous release is limited to 10,000 bottles worldwide; each proudly presented at cask strength of 60.2% ABV, natural colour and non chill filtered.
Reflecting on this pivotal bottling, Walker said:
“It’s beyond exciting to release our very own whisky distilled since we took over this hidden gem of a distillery in 2017. I eagerly await the reaction amongst whisky fans to this first glimpse at both our own distillate, and our peated work. The response will unquestionably influence where we take things next.
“The timing of the launch is apt as we celebrate our fifth anniversary of ownership next month. We are so very fortunate to be steering this great distillery into the future. I think the best is yet to come.”
The Future Edition joins the two other expressions in the range; The Past Edition, a 16-year-old 100% Sherry Matured single malt released in May, and The Present Edition, a 16-year-old Mizunara Virgin Oak Finish, announced in July.
The GlenAllachie Billy Walker 50th Anniversary Future Edition is available via global specialist retailers, with a UK RRSP of £80.
ABOUT BILLY WALKER’S CAREER:
Graduating from the University of Glasgow in 1967 with a BSc Honours Degree in Chemistry, a youthful Billy Walker had the perfect foundations to enable him to build an intimate knowledge of the science behind whisky making and flavour development.
Billy’s whisky journey began in 1972 at Hiram Walker & Sons – the company behind Ballantine’s at the time – where his role covered almost all aspects of production. After four years, he moved on to Inver House Distillers, taking up the position of Master Blender in 1976.
Fast-forward to 1982, Billy joined Burn Stewart Distillers where he went on to spend two decades, most notably playing a key part in the resurrection of Deanston and Tobermory Distilleries. When the company was sold, an entrepreneurial Billy was left to decipher his next move.
The next twelve years saw him acquire BenRiach, GlenDronach and Glenglassaugh Distilleries, each of which were either mothballed, closed or under exposed to the market. It was at this point in his career where Billy truly made a name for himself within the industry, leading the brands’ rejuvenation and subsequent phenomenal success.
Billy’s next move was to his current position as owner and Master Distiller at The GlenAllachie Distillers Company, encompassing The GlenAllachie single malt, White Heather blended Scotch and MacNair’s Boutique House of Spirits. 2021 saw Billy delve into a new spirits category for the first time, releasing a new experimental rum line under the MacNair’s label; Exploration Rum.
It’s from this incredible record of success that Billy has earnt widespread acclaim and recognition for being one of the most prominent whisky figures of his generation.
ABOUT GLENALLACHIE:
One of Scotland’s few independently owned and managed distilleries, The GlenAllachie is led by industry veteran, Billy Walker, who boasts a 50-year tenure in whisky. With an emphasis on wood policy, The GlenAllachie’s cask budget for 2022 stands at an eye-watering £2m/$2.6m. With 16 on-site warehouses holding over 50,000 casks, we have complete control of the end-to-end maturation process.
The GlenAllachie focusses on quality over quantity, which is why we chose to reduce our production capacity from 4m to 500,000 Litres of Alcohol and increase our fermentation period to 160 hours for an ester rich, fruity spirit.
We believe age and integrity matter, which is why all our whiskies carry an age statement, and are bottled at a minimum of 46% ABV, natural colour and non-chill filtered for maximum flavour experience.
Our other brands are MacNair’s Boutique House of Spirits – encompassing Lum Reek Blended Malt Scotch Whisky and Exploration Rum – and White Heather Blended Scotch Whisky.
Further information on the distillery and company can be found at www.theglenallachie.com
Facebook – @TheGlenAllachie | Twitter – @TheGlenAllachie | Instagram – @theglenallachie_
TASTING NOTES:
The GlenAllachie 50th Anniversary Future Edition – Peated 4-year-old – 60.2% ABV
- Colour: Auburn.
- Nose: Bursting with honeycomb, dried fruits and hazelnut, with hints of smouldering oak, dark chocolate and warm cinnamon apples.
- Taste: Lashings of cinnamon stewed pears, toasted almonds, heather honey and pipe tobacco, followed by smoked barley, vanilla toffee and orchard fruits.
