Glenallachie 10 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) - Batch 10 - DAMAGED GIFT BOX

Whisky reviewers often say that modern day GlenAllachies are unashamedly 'cask-driven' - as opposed to emphasising the distillate. Precisely what that means and whether or not it's a criticism isn't something that's straightforward to answer or easy to quantify. At the end of the day, if something tastes good, most drinkers are not going to be nitpicking (especially when the price is right). Whether you think heavy barrel input is a plus or a minus, GlenAllachie's series of natural strength ten year olds have been the recipients of considerable praise, with Batch #4 awarded the ultimate accolade as "World's Best Whisky" at the World Whiskies Awards in 2021. From our own experience, there are plenty of people who appreciate the richness that these whiskies deliver, enhanced by a range of cask types, and not entirely sherry. For Batch #10, there’s an unspecified portion of red wine and virgin oak casks in the mix (in contrast to the 12 and the 15 year releases). Combine that with a high ABV and non chill filtration, and you have a flavour bomb that sweetens up with water. Normally these editions retail for around $200 in Australia. At direct import pricing, now is the time to buy!

Other reviews... a whisky that’s not exactly about showcasing the characteristics of the new make. Instead, Pedro Ximènez, Oloroso, red wine and virgin oak casks were used... This is seemingly all about the cask. Arriving on cracked black peppercorns, cloves, a touch of ginger and some mocha. Also peach pits, some cherry liqueur and eucalyptus. Somewhat vinous... A quintessential example of an engineered whisky. The GlenAllachie 10 Years Cask Strength Batch 10 is well-designed. This isn't about careful, slow maturation, but instead about waking up the spirit with an assortment of active casks. And it works, but it's also not without its downsides. - wordsofwhisky.com