LeeEvolved
GlenAllachie 10 Year Port Wood Finish
Single Malt — Speyside, Scotland
Reviewed
February 15, 2020 (edited June 20, 2020)
I finally got my hands on the 3 newer, finishing cask whiskies from Glenallachie: Koval Rye 8yo, PX cask 12yo and this 10yo that was finished in Port Wood casks. I paid $54 for it before the international shipping problems and Trump’s tariffs. I’d say it’s a decent deal for what you get inside the bottle.
It’s bottled at 48% ABV and I believe it’s natural color and non-chill filtered. It’s a slick, amber/orange and very oily looking in the Glencairn. There’s lots of tiny drops and very thin legs after a hearty spin- both evidence of most higher ABV offerings. That’s a plus.
The nose started as mostly oak barrel and youthful spirit. Vanilla and some pepper, and not much port wine. It took some water to coax the raisins and grapes on the nose.
The palate had a nice, warming sweetness with faint port and vanilla notes. The mouthfeel was slightly more harsh than I hoped for and you can tell the whisky is still rough around the edges. Water seemed to only dilute the few flavors I picked up- it helped the nose relax, but didn’t improve the palate and finish.
Speaking of finish, it’s medium and warm with lingering wood notes and a slightly disappointing sugary flavor.
Overall, I enjoyed this bottle more when I first opened it. As it sat, the flavors became more muted and distant. It seemed much more lively through the first 1/3 of the bottle. I really liked the Koval Rye version the most, with this bottle coming in last of the three. Price point is fine and it’s still a serviceable whisky, but I think the other 2 are better. 3-3.25 stars for this one. Cheers.
54.0
USD
per
Bottle
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@LeeEvolved I hope your sense of smell has recoved from COVID-19?
Great review. I'd like to see some reviews for the other two in the set! @LeeEvolved
@Soba45 - these were the first releases that were hand selected by Billy Walker. I was hoping that he chose from the best casks in Glenallachie’s inventory. Here’s to hoping he lands better casks in the future or tinkers with their formulas- this hasn’t been the Glendronach 2.0 like we’d all hoped for...
This I gave a 3.25 the 8 Year Koval Rye Quarter Cask Wood Finish 3.5 but I do like rye so if you aren't a fan...
Sadly I've tried a few of the new Glenallachies and haven't been impressed at all. It's seems like you really do need the magic combo of great distillery and blender and this is not that.
@PBMichiganWolverine - yeah, I bought the entire re-launch when they came out last year: 10 CS, 12, 18 and 25. They just released a standard 15, along with these 3 finishing casks: 8yo in Koval Rye casks, 10yo Port Wine and 12yo PX cask. When the tariffs go away I’ll probably snag the 15 and any newer releases of the 10 CS (they release them in labeled batches).
I have their 18 I think, Oloroso matured. I’m hoping that might be like the old Glendronach