Glenallachie 2014

A rich, ripe, very juicy and autumnal malt from a relatively young Speyside distillery which is recently experiencing a rebirth. From the dark amber colour to the first whiff in the glass, it’s obvious that this first fill sherry butt was a great one, capable of leaving its mark on the distillate in only a few years: it’s a very raisiny, very nutty whisky, with dark notes of toasted cereals which are well matched by the intense sherry. The same extreme nuttiness, overall leaning towards a dry style, is nonetheless backed at the palate by the juicy sweetness of dried figs and dates, candied oranges, and a very robust meaty backbone. Lightly roasted coffee, cocoa, and again a big blast of raisins in the end.