Review: GlenAllachie Virgin Oak Series, 2022 Lineup

GlenAllachie continues to broaden an already expansive portfolio of single malts. Not solely does the newly revitalized Speyside distillery supply an impressively broad core range (8 years all the way in which as much as 30!), however they’ve additionally launched into a strong single cask program, myriad totally different finishes, and now this line, the Virgin Oak Sequence. We missed out on the primary trifecta of Virgin Oak Releases, however we had been fortunate sufficient to come back by small samples of those restricted releases for 2022. All three expressions had been first aged in ex-bourbon casks earlier than being completed for about 18 months in a singular virgin oak cask. Whereas not remarkable, using virgin oak ending continues to be slightly uncommon within the scotch world, particularly Scottish oak. Ideas comply with.

GlenAllachie Chinquapin Virgin Oak 10 Years Previous – Completed in Chinquapin Oak, a sub-species of White Oak sourced from the Northern Ozark area in Missouri and air dried for almost 4 years earlier than being toasted to medium ranges. The aroma is contemporary and brilliant with notes of honeysuckle, inexperienced tea, and candy cereals that flip to heat banana bread as issues open within the glass. The palate is good and light-bodied with notes of spice cupboard, coconut husks, and cocoa powder. A warming end showcases lingering notes of baking spice and ginger snaps. 96 proof. A- / $82

GlenAllachie French Virgin Oak 10 Years Previous – This single malt has been completed in virgin French Oak hogsheads sourced from the Haute-Garonne area near the Pyrenees and air dried for 15 months. Woody and waxy on the nostril with notes of freshly milled lumber, cooked cereals, and contemporary honeycomb. The palate showcases a balanced sweetness and straightforward heat with a definite milk chocolate ingredient that turns to espresso grounds on the mid-palate, then a lingering cocoa powder on the end. A pleasant post-dinner sipper. 96 proof. B+ / $82

GlenAllachie Scottish Virgin Oak 15 Years Previous – Probably the most treasured of the three with solely 300 bottles for the U.S., this single malt was completed in uncommon Scottish Sessile Oak sourced from the Atlantic coast and air dried for 36 months earlier than being toasted and charred to a medium stage. The aroma is buttery with savory and candy notes of Granny Smith apple pie, shortbreads, and vanilla bean. Because it opens, brighter, sweeter notes of tinned pear and candied lemon peel arrive, coalescing right into a wealthy and warming bakeshop aroma. The palate is well-spiced with notes of candy black tea, chewy toffee, apricot cookies, and candied ginger. A dry, woody spice arrives on the end which lingers with tropical fruits and a little bit of candy pipe smoke. A novel and fascinating dram that I may revisit ten occasions and nonetheless uncover one thing new. Sadly, my pattern didn’t final anyplace close to that lengthy. 96 proof. A  / $230

GlenAllachie Scottish Virgin Oak 15 Years Previous

$230

Score

9.5/10

About Publish Creator

Drew Beard

Drew Beard is Assistant Editor and Social Media Supervisor for Drinkhacker. He has studied and written about beer, whisk(e)y, and different spirits since he first began ingesting them, incomes a number of booze-related advantage badges alongside the way in which, together with Licensed Specialist in Spirits and Govt Bourbon Steward. A recovering Federal authorities worker, he’s completely satisfied to have lastly discovered a profession the place it’s acceptable to drink on the job.