GlenAllachie 12 Year

글렌알라키 12yo (46%) 1년전 출시 후 8월에 구매했었는데, 마셨을 때는 특별할 것 없는 흔한 맛이어서 깊숙한 곳에서 동면중이었습니다 한동안 나오지 않다가 요근래 다시 마시니 데일리로 부담없이 좋게 변해서 시음해보았습니다 향 : 시간이 많이 지나서 그런지 흐지부지한 향, 튀는 부즈는 아니지만 특유의 알콜향이 있음, 처음엔 바닐라향이 나지만 곧 플로랄한 쪽으로 꿀향이 느껴짐 맛 : 달달한 꿀이 은은하고 심지있게 퍼짐, 마시기 편한 꿀향 정도 피니쉬 : 나름 혀 끝에 스파이시를 남기고 따뜻한 기운을 남기는 스타일 #흔히 표현하는 가벼운 꿀물

As was the reason for many, these guys caught my eye because of the introduction of Billy Walker as master distiller. I'm a huge fan of Glendronach, and though I hadn't gotten into the distillery until after his departure, the internet seems to agree that it was even better than it is today under the guidance of Billy Walker. Naturally, I'm curious to see what he can do in a new environment. Nose: Apple, pear, apricot, vanilla, honey, toffee. Creamy. Some banana, coconut, and orange. Very malty, traditional Speyside notes, a bit tropical. A bit of sulfur, which doesn't play too well with the rest of the nose, though it's barely detectable. Green, grassy, and floral. Mild oak. Not a bad start. Palate: A lot of the same fruit notes. Apple, pear, apricot, banana, and orange. Now with lemon. Less 'tropical' than the nose, but much more citrus. Oak spice is ramped up, now accompanied by a dose of cinnamon. Spice replaces the sulfuric note from the nose. Heavy on the butterscotch, along with vanilla, honey, and toffee. Milk chocolate as well, which is a classic sherry/bourbon Speyside note. This time it's virgin oak, but the product is the same. I find that interesting. At any rate, solid taste--it's a more cohesive iteration of the nose. Finish: A few things here. More milk chocolate and orange citrus. Some more of the apple/pear. Spice: cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and oak. Butterscotch and toffee. Floral notes. Moderate length. Impressive finish for a baseline offering. 46% ABV definitely helps this. I think this a good first effort in for Billy Walker as he attempts a distillery that has traditionally produced blend-fodder into a single malt powerhouse. I can only expect this particular offering to improve--as the age statement on this whisky far exceeds his time as master distiller at Glenallachie. This is a great embodiment of an entry level-Speysider. It's got the classic profile, but interesting enough to distinguish itself from the pack. Olorosso, PX, and Virgin Oak (Don't know if I've had this combination before). 46%. Much more interesting than the standard bourbon cask 40% and bourbon/sherry 43% that have become formulaic. This is unique, and it's good. Looking forward to see the fruits of Billy Walker's latest project. Good start here. 4/5.