GlenAllachie adds 30-year-old whisky to core range

Speyside distillery GlenAllachie has released a 30-year-old single malt, the oldest addition to its flagship offering to date.

The GlenAllachie 30-Year-Old Cask Strength Batch 1 is a blend of 1989 and 1990 vintage whiskies matured in ex-Pedro Ximénez and oloroso Sherry barrels, as well as chinquapin virgin oak casks.

Master distiller Billy Walker, a nearly 50-year veteran of the industry, crafted 2,000 bottles of the 48.9% ABV expression. It was bottled without chill filtering or added colouring.

Walker acquired GlenAllachie from Chivas Brothers, Pernod Ricard’s Scotch whisky arm, nearly four years ago.

He said: “When I first explored the warehouses here back in 2017, I was blown away by the quality I discovered. I immediately set out earmarking casks and planning a series of incredibly special releases.

“I always had an ambition to create a memorable 30-year-old expression, presented at natural cask strength, that would truly blow away whisky connoisseurs across the globe. It’s a small batch single malt that undoubtedly captures everything I’ve learned along the way in my career, and thus is a bottling I’m particularly proud to release.”

On the nose, the whisky has notes of fruit cake, raisins and mocha, along with honey, cinnamon and coconut. The palate offers layers of dark chocolate, raisins, honey and figs, accompanied by treacle, orange zest and nutmeg.

It is available globally from specialist retailers for RRP £475 (US$671).

In March, Walker unveiled small batch whisky White Heather 21 Years Old.