GlenAllachie 2010/2024 14 Years - Koval Bourbon Barrel
Imagine it's the year 2010, Barack Obama is president, the iPad has just been invented and somewhere in the Scottish Speyside, a young GlenAllachie New Make is slumbering away in an American bourbon cask. 14 years later, in 2024, this whisky comes back to life - at 62.4% vol. and with a story to tell that takes us on a journey between continents and worlds of flavour.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Our journey through time begins with the first nosing. It's like walking along a green apple beach - an imaginary place where sweet Gala apples lie on the shore and the sand is made of the finest vanilla sugar. The nose of the GlenAllachie 14 Years Koval Bourbon Barrel first takes us to this paradisiacal scene. Grain mingles with white peach, while grape notes drift by like a gentle summer breeze. A hint of wax lends the whole an almost meditative calm.
Palate
The first sip catapults us straight into an American fairground of the 2010s. Candyfloss sticks sweetly to the taste buds, while caramel rolls over the tongue like warm sweets. This is where the true magic of Koval bourbon barrel maturation comes into play: this GlenAllachie becomes almost (actually) bourbon-esque without losing its Scottish identity. Honey drips golden through the flavour experience, accompanied by cereals - again the grain comes to the fore, as if the whisky wants to remind us where it originally comes from. A pinch of cinnamon spices up the finale of this flavour chapter and gives the whole thing an autumnal warmth.
Finish
The end of our journey through time takes us to a warm, long sunset over the Scottish Speyside. Dry but not brittle, fruity sweet but not overloaded - this GlenAllachie says goodbye like a good friend who will be remembered for a long time to come.
Thoughts
Marcel 86/100
This GlenAllachie 14 Year Koval Bourbon Barrel is a charming blend of Scottish soul and American flair – a genuine taste experience that grabs you immediately and never lets go. With its sweet vanilla notes and warm cinnamon spice, it almost feels like being at a fairground, only with style. For enthusiasts who aren’t afraid of a robust 62.4% ABV, this is pure drinking pleasure with plenty of character.
Sascha 86/100
The GlenAllachie 2010/2024 impressively demonstrates how precise cask management can strike a balance between intense bourbon barrel influence and classic Speyside structure. Despite a proud 62.4% ABV, the whisky remains harmonious, with clearly defined fruit and grain aromas accompanied by a subtle spiciness. A technically convincing, complex single malt that skillfully explores the boundaries between tradition and innovation.
Value for Money: Fair
Discover our value for money winnersThis product was kindly provided to us by Kirsch Import. This does not influence our rating. No payments or other benefits were received in exchange for this provision.
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71/100Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Koval Bourbon Barrel influence the flavor profile of this GlenAllachie 14 Year?
The Koval Bourbon Barrel imparts distinctive bourbon-typical notes such as cotton candy, caramel, and honey to the GlenAllachie 14 Year, without overshadowing the whisky’s Scottish identity. Maturation in this American cask creates a harmonious fusion of sweet, fruity, and spicy aromas.
Why is the alcohol content of 62.4% ABV so high in this whisky?
The high alcohol content of 62.4% ABV results from a cask strength bottling, where the whisky has not been diluted. This allows for a more intense tasting experience and preserves the complex aromas developed during the 14 years of maturation in the Koval Bourbon Barrel.
What distinguishes the GlenAllachie 2010/2024 14 Year from other Speyside whiskies?
This GlenAllachie combines the typical fruitiness and grain notes of Speyside with a unique American bourbon barrel maturation from Koval. The long 14-year maturation at cask strength and the blend of Scottish tradition with American influence make it particularly complex and multi-layered.