GLENALLACHIE ROLLS OUT
THIRD BATCH OF 21-YEAR-OLD
The celebrated Speyside distillery introduces Batch Three of
its revered aged cask strength single malt
After a year of 50th anniversary celebrations for its veteran Master Distiller, Billy Walker, The GlenAllachie Distillery today launches a third iteration of one of its oldest core range expressions: The GlenAllachie 21-year-old Cask Strength Batch 3 Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
Batch 3 (UK RRSP £275), a very limited global release of 2,400 bottles, follows in the footsteps of highly sought-after previous instalments of the annual expression.
The new ultra-premium small-batch Scotch whisky marries single malt matured in three vintage Pedro Ximénez Sherry puncheons.
Each cask was personally selected and expertly blended by industry leader, Walker, who over the course of his 50-year-long career has earnt recognition for demonstrating exceptional wood management capabilities and peerless sensory instinctiveness.
Chosen from the Speyside-based distillery’s enviable inventory of over 50,000 casks held on-site, the Spanish Sherry casks have imparted bold and complex flavour attributes, joining the distinctive heather honey character of The GlenAllachie’s house style.
The antique walnut-hued liquid is said to deliver refined qualities of “black grapes, fresh espresso, brandy butter and stem ginger, leading to indulgent dark chocolate fondant”.
Encased in a luxurious suedette-lined pine green box with gold foil detailing, the whisky was bottled at its natural cask strength of 51.5% ABV, with no added colour and without undergoing chill filtration.
Commenting on this latest launch, Walker said:
“Whisky is a waiting game, and after years of careful planning, I never tire of the anticipation; it’s pure excitement. Each and every cask at the distillery is regularly monitored to ensure we bottle the very best whisky available for each expression. This is what led me to pick these three richly seasoned Sherry puncheons to create this new batch of our 21-year-old. The outcome is a multifaceted drinking experience that exudes sheer elegance. A whisky that I will sip and savour at the end of this milestone year.”
The launch coincides with the release of the next batch of The GlenAllachie’s multi-award-winning 10-year-old Cask Strength offering: Batch 8 (UK RRSP £65). Presented at a punchy 57.2% ABV, the spirit boasts “intense waves of cinnamon spice, comforting mocha, honeycomb and candied walnuts”.
Both The GlenAllachie 21-year-old Cask Strength Batch 3 (UK RRSP £275) and 10-year-old Cask Strength Batch 8 (UK RRSP £65) will become increasingly available over the coming weeks from specialist retailers worldwide.
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 4million to around 800,000 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 21-year-old Cask Strength Batch 3 – 51.5% ABV
- Colour: Intense Walnut.
- Nose: Waves of black grapes, raisins and dark chocolate orange, with hints of coffee, stewed fruits and treacle syrup.
- Taste: Lashings of heather honey, cocoa dusted truffles and sultanas, followed by bursts of espresso coffee, mixed currants and brandy butter, with gingersnaps on the finish.
The GlenAllachie 10-year-old Cask Strength Batch 8 – 57.2% ABV
- Colour: Intensely Rich Mahogany.
- Nose: Bursting with mocha, nutmeg and walnut oil, with notes of heather honey, sweet raisins and dried red berries.
- Taste: Lashings of cinnamon spice, molasses and honeycomb, followed by ginger, espresso and dark chocolate, with hints of nutmeg and fennel on the finish.
First, a warning: this is only for those who like their rye big and brawny. It starts off innocuously with a maple-syrup color, and a pretty, complex and subtle scent: honey, vanilla, a slight medicinal tinge and faint clover notes. It feels silky on the tongue and at first, the flavors reflect caramel, burnt orange and a whisper of smoke, but then a mouth-warming wave of tannic bite sweeps over all and lingers for a good long time. Straight up or on the rocks. (KN) 
(11/2010)
