‘5 Years In The Making’: The GlenAllachie Releases New Collection of Peated Single Malts
The GlenAllachie unveiled its collection of peated single malts. (Photo: The GlenAllachie)
The GlenAllachie unveiled a new range of peated single malts, and the release was reported by The Scottish Herald on September 26. The range is named Miekle Toir, which is Gaelic for “the big pursuit” according to the brand.
The core program consists of three expressions, titled The Original, The Sherry One and The Chinquapin One. An additional small batch expression, The Turbo 2023 Edition launched alongside the three peated single malts. 2,500 bottles will be available of The Turbo. All expressions are non-chill filtered.
The GlenAllachie sources peat from St. Fergus and each expression undergoes a fermentation period of 160 hours, which is considered nearly triple the industry average according to The Scottish Herald.
Master Distiller Billy Walker spearheaded The GlenAllachie’s latest venture into the realm of peated single malts. The core collection is the first launch to be completely under Walker’s stewardship since he took the reigns at the distillery in 2017.
“This incredibly exciting launch is a key milestone for us all at The GlenAllachie. Five years in the making, it represents the culmination of our endeavors since we took over the reins at the distillery,” stated Master Distiller Billy Walker according to The Scottish Herald. “Our intention has always been to release a peated single malt, and this is no surprise to those of you who have followed our journey from the start.”
A first look at the Meikle Tòir collection from The GlenAllachie…
The Original 5 Years Old
The Original is described by the brand as a “classic single malt,” that showcases The GlenAllachie’s “peated pursuit.”
It clocks in at 50% ABV and was aged in first-fill Bourbon barrels, American virgin oak casks and Rye barrels. The Original is described as having a sweeter flavor profile than what is typical from a peated scotch due to The GlenAllachie’s use of coastal peat. On the nose, the brand cites aromas of baking spices, burnt honey and espresso with hazelnuts, smoked almonds and butterscotch.
The Sherry One 5 Years Old
The Sherry One is described as a “fruit-forward” spirit due to the lengthy 160-hour fermentation period and sherry cask aging process.
Hosting a 48% ABV, The Sherry One was aged in American oak ex-bourbon barrels, followed by a period in Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry puncheons. The brand describes the sherry-aged peated single malt as having a nose with cedar wood, cigar box, butterscotch and mocha aromas, interlaced with orange peel, honey and plum jam. On the palate, The Sherry One has flavors of dark chocolate, smoked honey and mocha, with figs, treacle, burnt sugar and puffs of peat smoke.
The Chinquapin One
The Chinquapin One has an ABV percentage of 48% and was aged in a mixture of American oak ex-bourbon barrels, followed by Chinquapin Oak barrels.
The expression possesses a nose of smoldering oak embers, burnt licorice and honey. Ginger, butterscotch and orange peel are also present. On the palate, The Chinquapin One has generous amounts of cocoa, créme brûlée and toasted almonds with cinnamon, aniseed and campfire smoke.
The Turbo
The GlenAllachie describes The Turbo as containing the ‘heart of the heart’ of the distillate. This full-throttle release hosts “an amplified smoky identity,” according to the brand.
The 2023 release was aged in three American virgin oak casks and five Oloroso hogsheads. Clocking in at a percentage of 50% ABV, the spirit is described as having an opulent nose with Manuka honey, worn leather, chocolate and orange peel. The palate is intense, with plenty of peat, honey and mocha that segue into smoked spices, roasted chestnuts and charred oak.
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