A Jaw-Dropping Exclusive Cask from a Speyside Luminary
1995 Glenallachie 26 Year Old “Hart Brothers Finest Collection” K&L Exclusive Cask Strength Single Ex-Bourbon Barrel Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
“This gorgeous malt from the excellent Glenallachie Distillery represents some of the finest on the market…” — David Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer
The concerted effort that our spirits team has put into building and maintaining our relationships with the whisky world’s finest independent bottlers continues to pay off with exceptional offers like today’s. Hart Brothers has been a go-to source for many, if not most, of our rarest and most distinctive single-cask Scotch bottlings, and Glenallachie’s 1995 Speyside 26 Year Old Ex-Bourbon Barrel Speyside Single Malt is one more in a long line of inimitable drams that have emerged from their vast warehouse stocks in recent years. “An absolutely dreamy, creamy little whisky that proves ‘Allachie need not be sherried to be world-class,” as David Othenin-Girard puts it, this wonderfully unique dram wears its ex-bourbon aging on its sleeve, right next to its undeniable Speyside roots. While many of its contemporaries in the high-end space have skyrocketed in price over the past couple of years, this sublime 26 Year Old remains a relative steal in an environment where going market rates can make even the most seasoned collectors wince. We’re once again thrilled at the superlative quality for price on offer here, and we know our most fanatical Scotch enthusiasts will find the same measure of compelling value and character in this one-of-a-kind single-cask beauty, once they get their hands on it.
K&L Notes: The excellent distillery that’s garnering so much hype these days was unheard-of just a few years ago. While the distillery is focused mainly on the heavy sherry offerings, this exciting, first-fill, ex-bourbon cask is a window into the unique character of this special distillery. Opened relatively late in 1967 just outside of the town of Aberlour, it’s in very good company geographically. Directly to the north is the wonderful Aberlour distillery, and to the west is Dailuaine. Due south, you’ll find Benrinnes and a bit further, GlenFarclas. Finding an expression of this age and caliber from any of these distilleries is rare, but until recently Glenallachie at this age and quality was nearly unheard-of. That’s because all the stocks went to the blends. Now, with the change in ownership, some things have shaken loose a bit. Expect a quintessentially Speyside ex-bourbon style here with tons of fruit, honey, and whiffs of blooming heather. A truly special barrel from an equally special distiller. Bottled at a cask strength of 111 proof and without chillfiltration or coloring.
David Othenin-Girard | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: June 01, 2022
Another incredible barrel from Hart Brothers. This gorgeous malt from the excellent Glenallachie Distillery represents some of the finest on the market and stands up with the very highest quality distillery offerings from this period. We’re very lucky to have taken full advantage of Hart Brothers’ excellent connections, in particular it seems with the wonderful Billy Walker. This old barrel was distilled on the 17th of March 1995 and filled into a fresh ex-bourbon barrel where it matured for more than two and a half decades before being bottled on November 20th of 2021 at cask strength. Let’s taste. The color is old gold. The nose is pungent and pointed offering dried mango, Seville orange peel, nougat, white chocolate and a few very subtle fresh herbs. The first taste is very decadent and ripe, creamy and supple. Plenty of fruit, very bright pithy exotic citrus, darker dried tropicals, and some poached pear character moving toward a more chocolatey core in the mid-palate. A gorgeous spice note keeps it dry and lingers long, long after the swallow. With a drop of water everything is turned up to 11! Pure orange peel aromas with nutty candies and wild honey. An absolutely dreamy, creamy little whisky that proves ‘Allachie need not be sherried to be world-class.
Austin Jenkins | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 25, 2022
Cinnamon, vanilla, and chocolate anyone? Everything you’re looking for in a Speyside is right here in this bottle, twenty-six years of supreme age in ex-bourbon casks contribute to a nice, oaky profile without compromising any of the Speyside characteristics. Big stone fruit on this—peaches and pears dance with some clove and cardamom on the palate. A touch of water really lets the cask influence on this whisky shine. Pick one up before it’s gone. You’ll definitely regret it if you miss out on this one.
