Review by: Whiskery Turnip
Distillery: Glenallachie.
Bottler: Distillery.
Region: Scotland/Speyside Single Malt.
ABV: 63%. Cask Strength.
Age: 15 years. Distilled on 25 Oct. 2005. Bottled in Feb. 2021.
Cask type: Sherry Butt.
Nose: Rich dried fruits, leather, candle wax, caramel, browned butter, berry-flavored hard candies, anise with hints of cinnamon.
Palate: Full-bodied, tannic and drying, sweet stewed fruits, spice, berries, waxed leather, butterscotch, hints of balsamic.
Finish: Medium to long and drying, with dried fruits and subtle spice.
Mental Image: Echoes of the Sherry Gods.
Conclusion: Big and rich, the aroma hit the sinuses like someone who does not know how to talk with an inside voice. Loud notes of dried fruits and caramel slowly transitioned toward stewed plums and figs spiced with anise, brown sugar, and hints of cinnamon. Waxed leather and vinyl occasionally turned toward birthday candles and nougat with subtle notions of floral violet between sticky butterscotch and grape-flavored hard candies. Medium to full-bodied, the flavor profile was intensely cask-driven and sherry-dominant. The mighty hammer of the sherry gods struck true with loads of sweet stewed figs and berries, cinnamon, anise, and hints of pepper. Waxed leather and butterscotch sat further in with hints of birthday candles, plasticine, and balsamic. However, the mouthfeel was always a touch too tannic to be properly waxy. The finish was medium to long and tannic with dried fruits and subtle spice.
I expected a proper sherry bomb, which was precisely what I found— no surprises, no disappointments. I have never been called a sherry fiend, so no deep thoughts from me on this one. It fitted the sherry bomb style perfectly, and if that style is to your taste, then I assume this will be an easy 90-pointer. I find these cask-dominant whiskies a bit simplistic and sweet for my taste. However, this was definitely on the upper end, and I can understand why some rated it so highly.
Overall, if you like having your palate carpet-bombed by sherry, then this is for you.
Final Score: 79.
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.
Malt Runners 