I saved the youngest of the new Wood Finish range by GlenAllachie for last. It’s also (from afar at least) the most interesting of the bunch, as this 8-year-old GlenAllachie was finished in a former Koval Rye Quarter Cask—organic rye at that.
GlenAllachie 8 Years Old Koval Rye Quarter Cask (48%, OB, 2019)
Nose: First impression is porridge with honey, accompanied by a touch of oak shavings, ripe banana, nutmeg and cinnamon. A tiny bit of fudge, and also a hint of sour beer.
Taste: The mouthfeel is a tad thin, yet somewhat oily. Fairly spicy. Think cloves and ginger, with a touch of cinnamon and black pepper. Some more oak shavings, and also a whiff of green banana.
Finish: Lingering spices. Broccoli. Finally a surprising touch of smoke.
Score: 85
Is it because I know the type of cask it matured in, that I find this whisky spicy and slightly oak-forward? Maybe, but I don’t think so. This whisky is clearly very much influenced by the cask, although its youthfulness sometimes peeks through, especially on the nose.
While a bit of an odd duck, I find it a very interesting concoction, and my favourite of the Glenallachie Wood Finish Series.
Sample provided by The Glenallachie
