Review by: Whiskery Turnip

---

Distillery: Glenallachie.

Bottler: Distillery.

Region: Scotland/Speyside Single Malt.

ABV: 57%. Cask Strength.

Age: 12 years. Distilled on 1 April 2009. Bottled in June 2021.

Cask type: PX Puncheon.

---

Nose: Nuclear sherry, stewed stone fruits, dried dates, roasted nuts, sour cherries, li hing mui, vanilla.

Palate: Medium to full-bodied, fruit jam, sugary syrup, cinnamon, pepper, hints of leather and dried fruit, licorice toward the end.

Finish: Medium-length and drying with dried fruits and roasted nuts.

---

Mental Image: Tactical Sherry Strike.

Conclusion: The aroma was a nuclear sherry attack on the senses. Spirited and prickly at times, the nose turned up the dried dates and stewed stone fruits to eleven. An undercurrent of dry baking spice lingered behind roasted nuts, almonds especially, sour cherries, sun-cured vanilla bean, and a light dusting of li hing mui powder. Medium to full-bodied with loads of sweet, jammy fruits and a touch of spice. Cherries, plums, and apricots poached in a sugary syrup, layers of cinnamon, and pepper spice, the profile was nuclear sherry all the time. Hints of leather and dried fruits appeared toward the end with a mellow licorice and drying tannic quality. The finish was medium and drying with dried fruits and roasted nuts.

For transparency’s sake, a friend played a role in bottling and importing this whisky, so my review may be a bit compromised. As usual, I don’t know if that helped or hurt the whisky, but I prefer that my entanglements be clear. Additionally, it is worth noting that I am not a massive fan of sherry-dominated whiskies like this. If you love a sherry-forward profile, then I am sure this will hold some more appeal. If you do not, then there is really nothing here for you. It was good for a sherried whisky, but I prefer more malty depth and less cask domination.

Overall, the only question you need to ask is, do you like sherry?

Final Score: 78.

---

Scoring Legend:

• 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
• 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
• 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
• 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
• 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
• 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
• 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
• 50-59: Save it for mixing.
• 0-49: Blech.