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15th July 2024 |
Review of the
UK exclusive GlenAllachie 12 Year Old
Sauternes Wine Cask Finish, a
deliciously moreish whisky, simply put
it is a GlenAllachie enhanced by the
rich, deliciously sweet flavours you
would find in a glass of Sauternes wine.
 The GlenAllachie has launched a set of
two Regional Exclusive single malts, one
here in the UK and the other destined
for Europe, each of which has been aged in
European wine casks.
Led by the highly respected industry
veteran Billy Walker, the Speyside
distillery has built a reputation for
its cask procurement and
maturation skills since Billy took
charge.
The newest additions to the brand’s Wood
Collection are a GlenAllachie 12 Year
Old Sauternes Wine Cask Finish which
will be exclusively available here in
the UK with a RRP of £67.99 and a
GlenAllachie 10 Year Old Ruby Port Cask
Finish which will be available in Europe
for a RRP of £61.99.
Both whiskies initially matured in
Bourbon barrels before being transferred
into casks handpicked by the renowned
cask innovator Billy Walker.
The UK-exclusive 12 Year Old whisky was
further aged in hogsheads that
previously held Sauternes, a white
dessert wine from Bordeaux, which the
distillery says has resulted in a whisky
with "elegant layers of toffee sauce,
vanilla ice cream, coconut shavings, and
peach torte."
For Europe, the 10 Year Old single malt
underwent secondary aging in hogsheads
that formerly contained vibrant Ruby
Port from Portugal’s Douro Valley, which
the distillery says has imbued the
whisky with a "rose gold hue and
flavours of forest fruits, ginger
biscuits, honeycomb, and mocha."
Matured in GlenAllachie's on-site
warehouses and regularly monitored, the
whisky was bottled at 48% ABV without
chill filtration or artificial colouring
once Walker determined the perfect level
of wood influence had been achieved.
Commenting on the new expressions,
Walker reveals: "It is my view that
ageing in quality casks provides 70% of
a whisky’s flavour. These two Limited
Edition single malts underwent an
interesting maturation journey in the
finest wood. We work with niche,
boutique cask suppliers that align with
our values and prioritise quality. We’re
delighted with the outcomes here; each
of the whiskies offers unique qualities:
the Sauternes Cask Finish is smooth and
fresh, and the Ruby Port Cask Finish is
fruity and indulgent."
The news follows the recent unveiling of
the first Wood Collection expressions
since the brand underwent a packaging
refresh. Released in April, part one of
the ‘Sherry Series’ includes single
malts matured in Fino, Amontillado and
Oloroso casks, with the second tranche
expected later this year.
The GlenAllachie Wood Collection
exclusives for the UK and Europe will
become increasingly available, with
RRSPs starting at £61.99 from specialist online whisky
shops such as
The Whisky Exchange
and
Master of Malt
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GlenAllachie 12 Year Old Sauternes Wine Cask Finish Review
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Bottled at
48% ABV, non chill filtered and
naturally coloured.
William
Morrison's
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Sweet
vanilla toffee and honey with a wee touch of a
candied fruitiness. A little sugared
almond fresh pear, peach and apricot
mix.
Taste: Muscovado sugar
boosted honey, juicy sultana, iced
coconut, a little zesty
orange & lemon citrus infused with a
lovely very gentle oak spice,
this is quickly followed by a little peach
and apricot.
Finish: Refreshingly
long, vanilla, sugared honey and fruit
cling to the palate for an age before
fading to leave some very gentle
slightly drying oak spice and late
ginger to have the last word.
Comment:
Deliciously moreish, simply put it is a
GlenAllachie enhanced by the rich,
deliciously sweet flavours you would
find in a glass of Sauternes wine. The
fruits are all a gentle and refined
support act, it is the sugars that are
the headline star and the 48% bottling
strength simply adds to the sweet
flavour pleasure experience.
SMW Whisky Score
90/100
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