Background:
This bottle is a celebration of Billy Walker, the legendary master distiller who has been behind some of the most inspiring whisky expressions from Scotland over the last fifty years.
This may well be one of the first GlenAllachie expressions that I’ve tasted (or perhaps even that has been released) of which the legendary Dunbarton native has overseen all the way from new make to bottling.
Billy Walker began his journey in 1972, overseeing almost all aspects of production for Hiram Walker & Sons, which at the time was responsible for making Ballantine’s. He spent four years there before going on to become Master Blender at Inver House Distillers.
After six years at Inver House, Billy joined Burn Stewart Distillers where he spent twenty years. It was there that Billy began to work on reviving dead/defunct distilleries. During this time he played a pivotal role in the revival of both Deanston and Tobermory.
After Burn Stewart sold in 2002, Billy departed and began to focus his entrepreneurial talents on more distillery revivals and acquisitions. Over the next twelve years, he acquired BenRiach, GlenDronach and Glenglassaugh Distilleries. He was able to rejuvenate each one to an unprecedented level of commercial success and this is one of the key feats that has earned him his current reputation.
In 2017, Billy Walker took his acquisitions a step farther and acquired The GlenAllachie, operating as both owner and Master Distiller.
The following year, The GlenAllachie released their core line of whiskies, each of which are widely known and loved: The GlenAllachie 10, 12, 18 and 25 year old single malts.
I began drinking The GlenAllachie in 2019 when I first discovered their Cask Strength 10 year old Batch 1 expression.
As you can tell from the empty bottle….That was all that it took.
I knew instantly that this distillery was going to be special.
Since then, I have had the pleasure of spending a lot of my tasting time appreciating some expression from this wonderful distillery: core whiskies, store pick single cask expressions, distillery exclusive festival releases and limited edition expressions such as the one in this review.
The expression that we are reviewing today is an ode to the legend himself, Mr. Billy Walker, in celebration of fifty years in the industry.
It is both a reflection of his career thus far and a glimpse of what the future still holds
(Hint: it’s a bright future).
The Review:
Age: 4yrs
ABV: 60.2% (120.4P)
Appearance: Amber, Not very viscous, pretty quick legs, excited for a mellow body with a sweet peat.
Nose: Floral, smoked brisket, light brine, mustard
Palate: Medium-light body, nice mouth feel…good balance between the viscosity and the body, white pepper, icy cool.
Finish: Medium-long finish. Initially cracked black pepper and peanuts. Sea salt and caramel on the rear. A Caol Ila -esque peat!
Rating: 8.5/10
Retail Price: $150-$200 SPG: 10/10
