Glenallachie – ohhh yes, this is from the recently released Virgin Oak series – Scottish Oak. Designed around showing how different terroirs effect the flavour of oaks this Scottish Sessile oak (Quercus Patraea) is a tightly grained slow growing oak, grown on the Atlantic coast and then air dried for 36 months to bring out the flavour hidden within. Once dried the staves were toasted to a medium level maximising the use of the sugars within the wood. Rarely do we get to sample whisky from Scottish Oak as it is often too knotted to be used.
The nose offers an array of toasted portage oats and barley citrus with lashings of butterscotch and toffee. Cinnamon, ginger, and heather honey are also there offering welcome balance to the sweeter notes before. On the palate heather honey coats the mouth with poached pears and light orchard fruits also apparent. The finish is almost caramelised white chocolate and more of the wonderful butterscotch and toffee.
Shelf price - £65
Your price - £58.50