GlenAllachie 12 Year Old 2008 First Cask

Whisky Import Nederland – WIN for short – was able to secure a sherry butt that was filled with the GlenAllachie spirit in 2018 and bottled at cask strength in 2020 in their First Cask series. What a lovely color.

It must have been a very active sherry cask for there is not much left of the distillery character on the nose. That notwithstanding the nose is delicious. Dark and sweet on krieks, blackberries, rhubarb marmalade and plums. Origin chocolate and pecan nuts. Nutmeg, cloves and some furniture polish. Hint of red lace candy as well. Lovely!

Creamy, almost syrupy on the palate. Honeysweet and very spicy with lots of green notes, if you know what I mean. All kinds of berries and again some krieks (not to be confused with cherries). Cough syrup, nuts, cocoa and cloves. Hint of freshly roasted coffee and chocolate.

The very long, warm spicy finish suddenly turns very bitter from the oak, but that does not diminish the experience anymore.

This was very enjoyable. Thanks for the sample, Manny!