Glenallachie 16YO Present Edition, Billy Walkers 50th Anniversary

Whisky legend Billy Walker is celebrated for his flair for sourcing interesting and unusual casks, particularly from small-scale, premium producers. As a qualified chemist, Billy holds a sincere interest in flavour development throughout the maturation journey, analysing how the whisky interfaces with interesting or rarely utilised wood types.

This sophisticated and rare single malt represents Billy’s present, where he is avidly implementing an incredibly innovative cask management policy. Mizunara is a very scarce and expensive species of Japanese oak seldom used for whisky maturation. It’s a tricky oak to cooper due to its inclination to leak as well as its tendency to twist as it grows, posing a challenge for stave production. This means the trees must grow to be around 200 years old before being felled; twice the age of most oaks used for casks. After a complex two-step maturation journey in Sherry and Mizunara casks, the subsequent liquid is abundant with toasted nuts, stem ginger, grilled banana and coconut shavings.

Second bottling in the Anniversary Trilogy
Specially selected by Billy Walker
Limited Release: 2,600 bottles
Matured in Japanese Mizunara casks
Non chill filtered and natural colour

Tasting notes:
Colour: Intense Chestnut.

Nose: Bursting with dark chocolate, heather honey and grilled almonds, with hints of sandalwood, ginger, orange zest, caramelised pecans and coconut shavings.

Taste: Waves of heather honey, cinnamon and crystalised ginger, followed by demerara sugar, dried dark berries, hazelnuts and fig syrup.