Category: billy walker

For this landmark bottling, Walker selected six ex-bourbon barrels that were distilled and filled in the summer of 1989. This was shortly after he had taken over the distillery and he quickly identified the potential of these six casks. They were transferred to four ex-sherry casks (three ex-Pedro Ximenez and one ex-Oloroso) and two virgin American oak casks in 2017 for a seven year secondary maturation.

"Unifying the six spectacular casks has created the perfect equilibrium between the sweet influence of Pedro Ximénez, the nutty contribution of Oloroso, and the spiciness of the virgin oak. It is a whisky to be treasured."

Billy Walker.

The Glenallachie 35 years old is presented in a wide-shouldered decanter and oak casket that features hand carving and brass detailing. This also features a booklet filled with Walker's handwritten tasting notes and the story of each cask. The limited edition whisky is bottled at 48% ABV and is available from specialist and luxury retailers worldwide. A bottle will cost £1,475.

Our Tasting Notes

The colour is a deep coppery amber and the nose is rich with a mix of sweet and savoury aromas. It kicks off being very nutty (think of walnut and hazelnut especially) and chocolate-like. Then comes some dried fruits in the form of raisin, sultana and candied orange with a hint of date. Underneath are further aromas of cocoa powder, old cigar box and sandalwood.

On the palate this whisky feels silky, rich and viscous. Again the lead characteristics are chocolate, nuts and dried fruit - the combination is reminiscent of a fruit and nut milk chocolate bar. Toasted hazelnut, walnut and brazils marry with raisin, sultana and dates to great effect. Then comes dominant notes of caramel and vanilla toffee with a hint of dark treacle. There are also hints of mocha, baked apple and gingerbread that evolve. 

The whisky becomes more savoury with time. There is a distinct leathery and earthy note that develops, plus some dusty baking spices - imagine cinnamon, ginger and clove here. Later notes of cocoa powder and bitter orange oil also come through, along with that old cigar box vibe from the nose.

The finish is long and decadent. It seems to go on forever. The chocolate and dried fruit notes are the first to fade, but it is a slow process. Then the nutty characterisitics. This leaves the savoury and dusty spice notes to take hold and pull the finish out even more. A woody dryness develops to give a lovely finale.

What's The Verdict?

This is a stunning whisky and one that shows the sympathetic cask management needed for maturing spirit to this sort of age. The depth of character and the complexity is fabulous - there are so many layers and the balance between the sweet and savoury characteristics is spot on. 

We were delighted to have been invited to the launch event in London and Billy hinted that they have even older stock that came as part of the distillery purchase in 2017. Only time will tell what they choose to do with that but if any is as good as this whisky, then they will have done well.

The Glenallachie distillery is located just outside the town of Aberlour in the Speyside region of Scotland. It was founded by Mackinlay, McPherson & Co. in 1967 and was designed by renowned distillery architect William Delmé-Evans. The current owners are The Glenallachie Distillers Co. who took over in mid-2017. 

Under their ownership, and the vision of Master Distiller Billy Walker in particular, the brand has quickly established itself as a single malt brand and has a cult following. Previously, bottlings were rare with most spirit going into popular blends such as Ballantine's and Chivas Regal. The annual production capacity is four million litres, although Walker has reduced this to around 750,000 litres per year.

Our tasting notes

The colour is deep gold with a tint of amber is sweet and vibrant. Aromas of sultana and fresh green apple mingle with toffee, fudge and raisin. Underneath are further aromas of warming wood spices (especially cinnamon), brown sugar, milk chocolate and and a hint of something uplifting and floral. 

On the palate this whisky is immediately sweet and sugary. Crumbly muscovado sugar and plump juicy raisins and sultanas lead the way. These notes are followed by caramel, fudge and toffee with a suggestion of milk chocolate and cocoa powder. Other sweet notes begin to develop with time - think of molasses, stewed apples and vanilla ice cream covered in butterscotch.

Warming spices come through. These follow two tracks - woody oak, which gives a drying and slightly bitter edge, and baking spices. These give warmth, depth and add to the complexity. Think of cinnamon, all-spice and a pinch of mace. A slightly strange burnt characteristic appears towards the end. This is a little bitter and tannic with hints of toasted nuts and burnt caramel.

The finish is of decent length. The sweet and fruity notes hold well but slowly begin to fade. This allows the woody and spicy elements to come to the fore. It gives a gripping and drying warmth. Unfortunately that burnt characteristic from the late palate also reappears.

What's the verdict?

This whisky is now the new entry point into the Glenallachie core range. We can see why they have done this and it is good to see someone putting out an age statement of under 10 years. It presents a whisky at around the £40 price point, which was missing before.

Glenallachie have become known for their sherry cask expressions and experimentation since Billy Walker took over. To this end the new 8 years old feels a little like Glenallachie Lite. There are obvious sherry cask elements there but it lacks the characteristics that can only come with age. Also, that bitter burnt note is a little off-putting and disappointing towards the end.