Whisky Focus - GlenAllachie Wine Cask Series Batch 2

The GlenAllachie has unveiled the second batch of single malt bottling's to augment its highly regarded Wine Cask Series.

This trio of new releases comprises an GlenAllachie 11 Year Old Premier Cru Classé Cask Finish (UK RRSP £63), a GlenAllachie 10 Year Old Grattamacco Cask Finish (UK RRSP £58), and a GlenAllachie 9 Year Old Douro Valley Cask Finish (UK RRSP £57).

These oak casks were carefully chosen by Billy Walker, The GlenAllachie's Master Distiller and a seasoned whisky expert with 50 years of experience. He personally selected them from three distinguished wine producers situated in France, Italy, and Portugal.

Each of these expressions began its maturation journey in premium ex-Bourbon American oak barrels before undergoing a refined transformation in European red wine casks.

The 11 Year Old, produced in limited quantities of 1,800 cases, matured in French oak barrels that once cradled a prestigious Premier Cru Classé wine, sourced from one of just five châteaux holding this esteemed Bordeaux wine classification. The resulting whisky reveals "notes of blackcurrant cordial, warming mocha, truffle, and gingersnap biscuits."

Originating from Italy, the certified organic Super Tuscan barriques from Grattamacco, a renowned winery in the Bolgheri region, have imparted "layers of pink grapefruit, wild honey, raspberry jelly, and sweet spice" to the 10 Year Old single malt, produced in 2,600 cases.

The Douro Valley, one of the world's oldest protected wine regions, is home to some of Portugal's most esteemed wine estates with the highest classification, Denominação de Origem Controlada (DOC). The rare barriques from this region have contributed "hints of dried apricots, cinnamon sticks, and vanilla custard" to a total of 2,000 cases of the Douro Valley Cask Finish 9 Year Old whisky.

Notably, all three expressions are presented at a robust 48% ABV, remain unchill filtered, and are free from added colouring.

Remarking on the launch, Walker shares: "We’re incredibly fortunate to have worked with some of the best wine producers in Europe for these wonderful releases. I’m a devoted wine enthusiast, so, on a personal level, this series brings together two passions: fine wine and Scotch whisky.

"We’re proud to have achieved a vast spectrum of flavour characteristics across these three bottlings: the Premier Cru Classé offers up rich dark fruit attributes; the Grattamacco overflows with brown sugar and honeycomb notes; and the Douro Valley delivers an elegant stone fruit quality."

Last month, The GlenAllachie announced its new peated single malt brand, Meikle Tòir, with a portfolio of four products, including the coveted Turbo 2023 Edition with just 2,500 bottles released worldwide.

With UK RRSPs starting at £57, The GlenAllachie Wine Cask Series Batch 2 will become increasingly available over the coming weeks from specialist online whisky shops such as The Whisky Exchange and Master of Malt
 

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