GlenAllachie 2009/2022 12 Years - Signatory Vintage
The Glenallachie Distillery is located in the Speyside region of Scotland and was founded in 1967. While for a long time it mainly produced blended whiskies, in recent years it has made a name for itself with independent bottlings and its own single malts. Glenallachie has gained a higher profile, particularly due to the influence of Billy Walker, and is known for its fruity, often sherried whiskies.
Tasting Notes
Nose
The first impression shows a clear sweetness: cream caramel, strawberries and light wine flavours characterise the bouquet. A hint of Campino sweets, cherry, caramel and raspberries give the whisky a creamy and fruity flavour. The wine character is present, but not too dominant.
Palate
On the palate, the winey influence is more pronounced - albeit in a rather youthful and immature form. Strawberry sweetness meets a clear sulphur note. There is also a certain cardboardiness that makes the mouthfeel less elegant. The high alcohol content provides a strong but not optimally balanced structure.
Finish
The finish shows young oak notes, accompanied by a slightly tangy, almost sharp component. There is a lack of depth here, making the finish rather unbalanced and somewhat unpleasant.
Thoughts
Marcel 74/100
The GlenAllachie 2009/2022 certainly brings an enticing fruity sweetness to the glass, but the underdeveloped wine cask note and the unpleasant sulfur character noticeably detract from the drinking pleasure. For a dram to enjoy in good company, it simply lacks the character and depth one would expect – it leaves you wanting more.
Sascha 76/100
With its high alcohol content, the GlenAllachie 12 Years displays a youthful, unbalanced structure where the balance between fruitiness and sulfur note fails to come together. The lack of maturation depth and the sharp finish make this single malt feel underdeveloped despite some interesting elements.
Value for Money: Fair
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69/100Frequently Asked Questions
How does the high alcohol content of 66.4% affect the taste of this GlenAllachie 12 Years?
The high alcohol content delivers a powerful and intense aromatic profile but can also make the mouthfeel sharp and unbalanced. It is advisable to dilute the whisky with a little water to better balance the flavors and soften the sulfur note.
What role does the independent bottler Signatory Vintage play in this GlenAllachie release?
Signatory Vintage purchases casks directly from the distillery and bottles them without alteration. This approach often provides very distinctive and unadulterated insights into the whisky, as with this GlenAllachie 2009/2022, which faithfully showcases the youthful and fruity notes characteristic of the distillery.
Why does this GlenAllachie, despite 12 years of maturation, have a rather youthful and underdeveloped flavor profile?
The combination of a relatively short maturation period and the strong influence of the wine cask results in a bold but not yet fully integrated flavor structure. The pronounced sulfur note and cardboard-like texture on the palate indicate that the whisky has not yet achieved full balance and depth.