2008 Glenallachie 10 Year Old Single Cask #472 Australian Exclusive Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Mouthfilling and mouthcoating, here comes another Glenallachie flavour bomb!

Whisky fans worldwide are being treated to a full spectrum of Glenallachies with the release of single cask limited editions, specially selected for different markets. We have a small allocation of the Australian Exclusive, bottled all-natural and entirely matured in Virgin oak. For some this will be a controversial selection given the ongoing debate around virgin oak casks. Bourbon is required to rest in new oak, but Scotch whisky has traditionally been matured in second-hand vessels, minimising the astringency of fresh wood and 'slowing' the maturation process. Several producers have been incorporating new wood as a finishing, but a handful are now flirting with full term maturation in virgin oak. This isn't necessarily to save money. Compared with x Bourbon casks, virgin oak casks are expensive. Maturation or “apparent maturity” takes place faster - but that can also be risky.

Octomore 8.4 is a case in point, as Bruichladdich's Adam Hannett explains, “The downside is that if we take our eyes off the casks for too long, we can end up with a whisky where the cask has dominated the spirit and it becomes overly oaked... because the casks have so much to give, they need to be watched very closely as they mature.” Glenmorangie's Bill Lumsden agrees. "Under certain circumstances, a full maturation in virgin oak can overwhelm a whisky, but even then, if used in a particular way this can result in an interesting product - for example, Glenmorangie Ealanta, which won World Whisky of the Year in 2014."

The key question for whisky lovers is "Does it taste better than conventionallly aged spirit?"
No doubt the result very much depends on the skill of the Master Blender. Having released an astonishing 28 year old Virgin Oak matured whisky earlier in 2019, this 100% American oak 10 year old guarantees the kind of balance and true distillery character you'd expect from Billy Walker's long years of experience. 270 bottles are available. It's a once off never-to-be-repeated bottling that should also appeal to collectors.

Tasting note: Deep bronze gold. Opens shy but builds beautifully after 3-4 minutes in the glass. Virgin oak adds predictable spice, vanilla and gobstopper notes, however the overall effect is fruit-laden without being overly sweet: Banana cake, fig paste and a little shortbread come through. Similar notes repeat on the palate where it's a malt to the max. Mouthfilling and mouthcoating, heightened at the finish as the oak picks up spice and grip. There are a lot of familiar whisky flavours here, but it's the way Glenallachie's massive spirit competes with the wood that makes it work. Billy Walker's balancing act means there's enough zest to keep this from falling flat. Water makes it more chocolatey, although it's not required; Uncut it's incredibly accessible and delivers everything you'd expect from this distillery. Anyone who remembers Glemorangie Ealanta should find plenty to enjoy here. Non chill filtered. 56.3% Alc./Vol.