A MULLED WINE ON THE SERVIN – Score: 6.5/10
The GlenAllachie distillery, now firmly established under the stewardship of Billy Walker – widely regarded as a virtuoso when it comes to sherry cask maturation – scarcely requires any further introduction. That said, encountering a GlenAllachie released under an independent bottling remains a relatively uncommon occurrence and is, for that very reason, all the more worth investigating for any discerning whisky enthusiast.
In this particular case, Signatory Vintage succeeded in acquiring a single cask and, after an ageing period of eleven years, proceeded with the bottling. The spirit spent its entire maturation in a sherry cask and was bottled at 48.2% ABV, which corresponds to the standard dilution applied within this particular range offered by Signatory Vintage.
On the nose and palate, one immediately discovers the classic characteristics associated with Oloroso maturation: robust coffee notes abound and lend a deep, rich profile to the spirit. These are accompanied by a complex interplay of spices and liquorice, all elegantly framed within a pronounced wine-driven structure. A layer of caramel is also discernible and appears to coat and harmonise the ensemble, adding a softening touch to the overall composition.
It is a profile that will undoubtedly appeal to those who enjoy flavours reminiscent of mulled wine – warm, intense and generously aromatic – although, in my case, the concentration of these notes ultimately proves a little overwhelming for the palate.
