Review | Glenallachie 15 years old

The 15 years old forms part of the compact core single malt range from the Speyside distillery of Glenallachie. It sits alongside expressions released at 12- and 18-years of age, plus the 10 years old Cask Strength. The Glenallachie 15 years old sees i…


The 15 years old forms part of the compact core single malt range from the Speyside distillery of Glenallachie. It sits alongside expressions released at 12- and 18-years of age, plus the 10 years old Cask Strength. The Glenallachie 15 years old sees initial maturation in ex-bourbon, before a lengthy finishing period in ex-Oloroso and ex-Pedro Ximenez sherry puncheons and butts. The core range has been created by Billy Walker - the co-owner and Master Blender of Glenallachie. The Glenallachie 15 years old is bottled at 46% ABV and is both non-chill filtered and of natural colour. It is available from specialist retailers worldwide. A bottle should cost around £65.

The Glenallachie distillery is located close to 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. Glenallachie translates as 'valley of the rocks' from Gaelic. 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 amber and the nose is rich, bold and with a delicious fruity sweetness. Aromas of dark dried fruits (think of raisins, currants and dates especially) rise from the glass and are quickly joined by caramel, manuka honey and treacle sponge pudding. Underneath sit further aromas of candied orange, dark chocolate and cedarwood.

On the palate this whisky is rich, luscious and velvety. Notes of dark caramel and sweet hazelnut praline come through immediately and are soon joined by the dark dried fruits from the nose - imagine brandy-soaked raisins, juicy currants and figs. Add in some sticky date pudding and treacle tart for extra depth and complexity. Underneath sit hints of dark chocolate, cocoa powder and mocha.

With time, more savoury characteristics begin to evolve. The cedarwood from the nose is first to appear, along with something resembling antique furniture and old cigar box. Woody baking spices, such as cinnamon and cassia build up slowly, and are joined by hints of orange oil and espresso coffee. The combination with the sweeter and fruitier elements is exquisite.

The finish is long and rich. The sweetness lingers well and slowly fades, as does the dried fruitiness. This brings the savoury woody and spicy characteristics to the fore and these drag out the finish superbly. The whisky becomes pleasantly dry and warming, and begs for another sip.

What's The Verdict?

This is a beautiful whisky from Glenallachie and exactly how a good ex-sherry cask Scotch single malt should be. It is rich and luxurious in feel, and balances the sweet and fruity notes superbly with the darker and more savoury ones. Definitely one to search out, especially of you are a fan of ex-sherry cask influenced whiskies. It also comes in at a decent price for a 15 year old these days and gives good value for it.


Tobermory Reveals 26-Year-Old

Tobermory has released a 26-year=old whisky finished in Oloroso sherry casks as part of their Hebridean Series – the whisky originates from a 2008 15-year-old release that was left in the same casks to mature for another 11 years. Tobermory’s 26-year-old is said to contain notes of honey, toffee and walnuts. Only 4,560 bottles are […]

The post Tobermory Reveals 26-Year-Old first appeared on Whisky Critic – Whisky Reviews & Articles – Style. Attitude. Whisky..

Tobermory has released a 26-year=old whisky finished in Oloroso sherry casks as part of their Hebridean Series – the whisky originates from a 2008 15-year-old release that was left in the same casks to mature for another 11 years.

Tobermory’s 26-year-old is said to contain notes of honey, toffee and walnuts.

Only 4,560 bottles are being made available for $470 per bottle via the distillery’s website.

The post Tobermory Reveals 26-Year-Old first appeared on Whisky Critic - Whisky Reviews & Articles - Style. Attitude. Whisky..

Review | A Good Old-Fashioned Christmas Whisky (2023 Edition)

Each November, the renowned spirits retailer The Whisky Exchange releases a special single malt for the forthcoming festive period – A Good Old-Fashioned Christmas Whisky. The annual release tends to lean towards rich, bold ex-sherry cask characteristi…


Each November, the renowned spirits retailer The Whisky Exchange releases a special single malt for the forthcoming festive period - A Good Old-Fashioned Christmas Whisky. The annual release tends to lean towards rich, bold ex-sherry cask characteristics and the 2023 Edition is no different. The whisky is a 15 years old single malt from an unnamed Speyside distillery and has been entirely matured in ex-sherry casks sourced from Spain. These are both first-fill and re-fill, which were then married together.

A Good Old-Fashioned Christmas Whisky 2023 Edition is bottled at 52.5% ABV and is both non-chill filtered and of natural colour. The ex-sherry casks selected have yielded just 1,800 bottles. The whisky is exclusive to The Whisky Exchange and is available in each of their stores, plus via a special page on the website - click here to access. A bottle will cost £89.95.

Our Tasting Notes

The colour is deep coppery amber and the nose is rich, bold and sweet. Aromas of raisin, date and dried fig mingle with caramel, toffee and a hint of black treacle. Further aromas of toasted almond, milk chocolate and hazelnut praline are also evident. A late scratch of nutmeg, plus hints of cinnamon bark and orange oil round things off nicely.

On the palate this whisky has a lovely oily mouth texture and is rich, bold and sweet as on the nose. The dried fruit notes hit first - think of raisins, juicy sultanas and candied orange peel plus dates, fig and Cognac-soaked prunes. Caramel-like sweetness with some hard toffee and golden syrup notes bind everything together. The combination is reminiscent of a dense fruit cake such as Dundee cake or a traditional Christmas pudding. 

Extra depth and complexity is added by evolving savoury and warming spicy notes - these include the toasted nuts from the nose and plenty of mulling spices - imagine cinnamon bark, nutmeg, mace, all-spice and clove. The clove in particular adds an interesting twist at the end.

The finish is long and luscious. The sweet and dried fruity characteristics linger well with the orange oil/candied peel note developing strongly. The caramel and toffee, plus dried fruits, slowly fade to reveal the warming and earthy spices. This pulls the finish out and adds a pleasant dryness and heat.

What's The Verdict?

This year's version of A Good Old-Fashioned Christmas Whisky is delicious. Well done to The Whisky Exchange team for selecting and marrying the casks so well. The ex-sherry cask characteristics are sublime and well balanced. 

This is no sherry bomb by the way although it is lovely, rich and sweet. It shows how good sherried whiskies can be with sympathetic maturation and cask usage. We were delighted to get a bottle and can think of no better whisky to enjoy with a mince pie or slice of Christmas cake over the festive period. Superb.


Highland Park 12 Years Old Viking Honour

Rich, malty and complex, there is a lovely sprinkle of sea salt which accentuates the flavours here, spiced heather honey adds to the thick malty backbone, the result is well-structured. 84/100

Rich, malty and complex, there is a lovely sprinkle of sea salt which accentuates the flavours here, spiced heather honey adds to the thick malty backbone, the result is well-structured. 84/100

Review / Laphroaig 10 years old Sherry Oak Finish

The Sherry Oak Finish is a recent addition to the core range of the famous Islay single malt of Laphroaig. It was introduced in mid-2021. The whisky follows the same maturation path as the classic Laphroaig 10 years old, the best seller within the rang…


The Sherry Oak Finish is a recent addition to the core range of the famous Islay single malt of Laphroaig. It was introduced in mid-2021. The whisky follows the same maturation path as the classic Laphroaig 10 years old, the best seller within the range, for most of its life. This takes place in American oak ex-bourbon casks. For the final 12 to 18 months the whisky is transferred to ex-Oloroso sherry barrels. The Laphroaig 10 years old Sherry Oak Finish is bottled at a higher strength of 48% ABV than the classic 10 years old. It is also a higher price (you should expect to pay around £60 for a bottle) and can be found through specialist retailers worldwide. 

Laphroaig (pronounced la-froyg) is one of the best known Scotch whisky distilleries in the world and it is the biggest selling single malt in the smoky/peaty style. The brand was at the forefront of establishing the style in the market place, especially during the late-1980s. Laphroaig translates from the Gaelic as 'beautiful hollow by the broad bay' and the distillery is located on the southern coast of Islay, about two miles east of the village of Port Ellen. 

The distillery was founded by two brothers, Alexander and Donald Johnson, in 1815 and is currently under the ownership of Beam Suntory. Laphroaig has an annual production capacity of 3.3 million litres.

Our tasting notes

The colour is a deep coppery amber and the nose is full of rich sherried notes (think of raisins, toasted nuts, caramel and warming wood spices), plus ashy and sooty bonfire smoke. Aromas of damp peat and moss, manuka honey and drying seaweed are also evident.

On the palate this whisky is punchy and peaty with a gripping mouthfeel. Peppery peat smoke leads the way and is again bonfire-like with an ashy and sooty edge. Notes of tidal rockpool follow - think of drying seaweed and rocks as the tide goes out - and this is followed by a distinct mossy and earthy quality.

Then come the sherry cask notes in abundance - imagine caramel, Cognac soaked raisins and fruit cake with good levels of toasted hazelnut, milk chocolate and candied orange peel. The manuka honey appears again and is accentuated by an evolving salty and briney note. A few late drops of iodine just add to the already medicinal edge.

The finish is long and sumptuous. The bonfire peat smoke smoulders away throughout and maintains the acrid and medicinal feel from the nose and palate. The rich and sweet sherried notes slowly fade but add further depth as they do. A late peppery spice rounds things off nicely.

What's the verdict?

Wow. This Laphroaig is a stunner. It is a superb example of how to balance heavy peat smoke and the rich characteristics of good ex-sherry barrels. The depth created by both working together is sublime. This 10 years old Sherry Oak Finish is a great addition to the already excellent Laphroaig range. The higher ABV really makes the whisky punch even harder and the decision to release at this strength should be congratulated. So delicious and well worth a try.


Elements Of Islay Set To Arrive In USA Next Month

Elements of Islay will be bringing their core range of three blended malt whiskies – which seek to remind you of Islay whisky – to the USA next month. Specifically, Elements of Islay will be bringing three permanent whiskies – Bourbon, Cask Edit and Sherry Cask. Elements of Islay Cask Edit is a blend of […]

Elements of Islay will be bringing their core range of three blended malt whiskies – which seek to remind you of Islay whisky – to the USA next month.

Specifically, Elements of Islay will be bringing three permanent whiskies – Bourbon, Cask Edit and Sherry Cask.

Elements of Islay Cask Edit is a blend of a pair of single malts aged in bourbon and sherry casks, bottled at 46% alcohol by volume [92 proof], is said to offer notes of peat and is being made available for $55 per bottle.

Elements of Islay Bourbon has been matured in first-fill and re-fill bourbon barrels, bottled at 54.5% alcohol by volume [109 proof] and is being made available for $70 per bottle.

Elements of Islay Sherry Cask was also bottled at 54.5% alcohol by volume [109 proof], is said to offer notes of dark chocolate, lemon oil and smoke and is being made available for $80 per bottle.

All three of the Elements of Islay range will be available in the USA beginning on March 1, 2023.

Gulliver’s Travels To Sherry Single Cask Destination

Fresh off their collaboration with Australian swimwear producer, Budgy Smuggler, UK-based [Norfolk] whisky producer Samuel Gulliver & Co has made an addition to their range with Gulliver’s 47 PX Sherry Cask single malt whisky. Gulliver’s 47 PX Sherry Cask is a single malt whisky finished in Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks from Spain, bottled at 47% […]

Fresh off their collaboration with Australian swimwear producer, Budgy Smuggler, UK-based [Norfolk] whisky producer Samuel Gulliver & Co has made an addition to their range with Gulliver’s 47 PX Sherry Cask single malt whisky.

Gulliver’s 47 PX Sherry Cask is a single malt whisky finished in Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks from Spain, bottled at 47% alcohol by volume [94 proof] and is said to offer notes of butterscotch, chocolate, golden raisins and orange zest.

Notice a theme with the numeral 47? That is due to the fact that Samuel Gulliver – the original founder – began Gulliver’s whisky travels in 1747.

Gulliver’s 47 PX Sherry Cask is being made available for $95 per bottle via the official site.

Tullibardine 500

My favourite of the tasting – I guess no surprises there! I guess like the whole range I felt this was a bit safe and unchallenging. I’d prefer a bit more strength or depth to some of the finishing flavours – but perhaps that’s just my palate and predi…

My favourite of the tasting - I guess no surprises there! I guess like the whole range I felt this was a bit safe and unchallenging. I'd prefer a bit more strength or depth to some of the finishing flavours - but perhaps that's just my palate and predilections. The whole range is quite polished and well put together, meaning accessibility and joy for newcomers. Thankfully Tullibardine have extended their signature and other ranges greatly since these were released in 2013 and I guess I should be exploring these more myself. 83/100

Stranahan’s Sherry Cask 008 Review

Stranahan’s Sherry Cask 008 is the fourth batch I’ve had since first trying it at the 2018 Stranahan’s Cask Thief event and I have to say… it keeps getting better. It’s getting more dialed in, more robust and multi-facted. It’s becoming one heck of a whiskey and as far as I’m concerned, it’s the best […]

The post Stranahan’s Sherry Cask 008 Review appeared first on The Whiskey Jug.

Stranahan’s Sherry Cask 008 is the fourth batch I’ve had since first trying it at the 2018 Stranahan’s Cask Thief event and I have to say… it keeps getting better. It’s getting more dialed in, more robust and multi-facted. It’s becoming one heck of a whiskey and as far as I’m concerned, it’s the best sherry-finished American Single Malt on the market… so far.

Stranahan's Sherry Cask 008 Review

I reviewed Sherry Cask Batch 003 several years ago and before that I tried Batch 002 at an event. Batch 003 and 004 were at the Cask Thief and now we’re digging into Stranahan’s Sherry Batch 008. Will it hold up to the previous batches? Can it hold on to that “best of” title? Only one way to find out.

Let’s get to drinkin’!


Stranahan’s Sherry Cask 008 – Details and Tasting Notes

 

Whiskey Details

Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color

Style: Single Malt (American)
Region: Colorado, USA
Distiller: Stranahan’s

Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak (#3), ex-Oloroso Sherry
Age: 4+ Years
ABV: 47%

Batch: 008
Bottle: 2,112

Stranahan’s Sherry Cask Price: $75*

Related Whiskey

Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey
Stranahan’s Sherry Cask
Stranahan’s Diamond Peak
Stranahan’s Blue Peak
Virginia Distillery Courage and Conviction Single Malt

White background tasting shot with the Stranahan's Sherry Cask 008 bottle and a glass of whiskey next to it.
“We take our four-year-old Rocky Mountain Single Malt and then transfer it to 500-liter Oloroso Sherry Barrels to cask finish. Procured from the Andalusia region of southern Spain, these sherry barrels have been aging wine for over 40 years.” – Stranahan’s

 

Stranahan’s Sherry Cask Tasting Notes

EYE
Bloody copper

NOSE
Fudgy dark fruit, oak, copper, hazelnuts and leather with some spiced citrus and vanilla.

Aroma is warm and rides evenly – well structured.

PALATE
Oaky, sherry, dried dark fruit, leather, roasted nuts, leather, oil, graham, cocoa and a bit of citrus and herbal baking spice.

There’s a nice berry sweetness in that dried dark fruit that weaves its way through the flavor.

FINISH
Long -> Dried dark fruit, blackberry licorice, oak and nuts.

BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Good, med-full, touch dry warm


Stranahan’s Sherry Cask 008 – Overall Thoughts and Score

Batch 008 has plenty of oak layering through the sweet notes which is accompanied by dashes of spice and an underpinning of earthy notes. A nice berry sweetness starts light and builds as it goes and brings a bit more cocoa with it as it opens. The graham and leathery notes also rise with the earthiness popping in more heavily at intervals. Yup, this is good.

I wouldn’t say it’s better than any of the previous batches I’ve had, they’ve all been great. This one has a bit more of a berry-like sweetness and a bit more earthiness than previous batches, but in regards to quality, it hits the same marks. There is nothing at all to dislike, but plenty to love, about Stranahan’s Sherry Cask 008, it’s quite nice on all fronts.

SCORE: 4/5 (good, definitely recommend ~ B+ | 87-89)

*Disclosure: The bottle for this American Single Malt review was graciously sent to me by the company without obligation. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.

Stranahan's Sherry Cask 008 Label

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