GlenAllachie 10 Year Cask Strength Batch 4

2021 World Whiskies Awards Best Single Malt absolute winner, was this GlenAllachie Batch Strength No. 4. I have to say that i have had some GlenAllachies this year and almost all of them were fantastic. Remarkable expressions as the 12yo and the Grattamaco wine finish have made a true fan of this distillery. The man behind it, the legend, Billy Walker have scored some awards in just three years as the new owner/Master Distiller. He has also said that he needs ten years to make this distillery the best ever, and i trust him, he made all my favorite Glendronachs. Well, time to review the "World's Best Single Malt". Bottled at 56.1, chesnut natural color. On the nose, we have started with perfection. Apricots, dehydrated oranges, thick honey, coffee and dark macerated fruits. Peaches, turkish delight dessert and mild spiciness. It smells exactly as "Whoppers malted chocolate milk balls". Dehydrated citric fruits A second sip gave me some maraschino cherries; it has this orange/tangerine caramel that is just fantastic. On the palate it wasn't what i expected. Bitter; Orange juice, super citric; Salt bomb. The second sip was definitively oaky and salty, way too salty. Aftertaste was nice, but far from incredible. It is dry, with Chocolate, hay and tobacco notes. A nice bitter finish, sawdust. Overall, i had the Batch 5 before this one, and that one blew my mind. The awarded Batch 4, was not super impressive. A very good dram, very enjoyable, but too salty and oaky. I was a little dissapointed here, but the good news is that the Batch No. 5 was out of this world, that should mean that they improved the "juice". My overall score for it was 89 over 100 and most points were scored because of the amazing aroma.

(The GlenAllachie Virgin Oak Series Virtual Tasting with Billy Walker, 12th November 2020). 50% Oloroso sherry cask, mainly virgin oak for the balance Nose: Dark chocolate, cinnamon & ginger, dried dark fruit (raisin/prune) Palate: Honey, raisin & cranberries, chocolate. Loads of juicy dark/dried fruit. Lovely mouthfeel. Finish: Orange, chocolate, toast (?), slightly drying. A warming, almost Chritmassy dram. There's less of the honey/orange that I always think of from GlenAllachie, but this is a delicious, easy drinking dram. Lovely!

Needs a lot of time in the glass and some water to open up. But patience gives rich rewards! Tastes better and better each sip even after 1 hour in the glass. Delicious nose of caramel, banana, dried fruits, and a creamy vanilla. More spicy on the palate with cinnamon and cloves, a bit leathery. Pleasant coating mouthfeel and long lingering finish with orange marmalade flavors lasting the longest.