The GlenAllachie 15 Year Review
In-Depth Review
Today, we continue the journey through the core GlenAllachie range by stepping up to the 15 year expression, crafted by famous master distiller Billy Walker and re-released in 2019 after he and a group of investors bought GlenAllachie in 2017. Lauded as one of the crowning achievements of the revitalized GlenAllachie brand, Walker calls the 15 “the perfect representation of the distillery’s DNA.” And in his own words:
“I’ve been working on our 15 year old release since we acquired GlenAllachie back in October 2017. In that time I’ve been intimately following the development of the various casks and I believe the 15 year old is the perfect balance of distillery and cask influence.”
The GlenAllachie has made a habit of putting out exceptional whiskies at healthy ABV and without pesky filtration methods. This is no exception. This 15 year expression is bottled at 46% ABV, and is non-chill filtered – just like the whisky enthusiast gods intended! This sample was kindly provided as part of a GlenAllachie tasting experience put on by The Whiskey Bourbon and Scotch Enthusiasts Facebook page who set up a tasting with Billy Walker himself to walk through their core range!
Age: 15 Years
ABV: 46%
Cask: Combination of Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez sherry casks
MSRP: $99
Distillery Name: The GlenAllachie
Review Date: 11/20/21
Color: Dark Caramel
Nose: Immediately it’s clear that the sherry influence on the 15 year is even bigger than the GlenAllachie 12 year expression. Big butterscotch and raisin, with strong influence of those classic sherry notes. The nose is rich and silky, without being heavy or cloying. Notes of grape, cherry cola, and caramel dance across the nose. Then as the whisky settles into the glass, a distinctive buttered popcorn note takes the stage.
Palate: The palate starts off with waves of sweetness reminiscent of cherry cordials. There’s a thick body and mouthfeel to this whisky, with notes of walnut, dark chocolate, and baking spices coming together to create something similar to a fudgy spiced Christmas cake. This 15 year GlenAllachie feels more luxurious than the 12, and is bigger and more robust than its younger sibling. It’s not a particular delicate whisky, and instead will hit you hard at first with the sherry notes and leaves you to explore the more subtle nuances after a few sips.
Finish: While the palate can come off a bit strong at times, the finish is an exercise in restraint. It boasts a medium length finish that lingers with more baking spices and more toasted oak. Not as sweet as the nose or palate, the wood tannins come to the forefront, leaving a drier and more savory balance to an overwise strongly sweet whisky.
Final Thoughts: Taking a step back, it’s hard not to compare this 15 year expression to its younger 12 year sibling. Stepping up to this 15 year GlenAllachie provides an excellent upgrade for those looking for even stronger sherry influence, while still maintaining some more complex and nuanced tones that come from 3 more years in the barrel. Billy Walker isn’t subtle about his love for sherry, and this 15 year showcases richer chocolate and spice notes that can come from more time in the cask. And while I’m not sure I love this pour more than the Glendronach 15 year – especially at about $25 more – this GlenAllachie does provide a less fruity alternative to The Macallan (at a sizeable discount to boot) and a much more interesting conversation piece for those who find the mainstream sherry bombs a bit humdrum.
