GlenAllachie 15 year old
When I reviewed GlenAllachie 12 as part of my journey toward whisky centurion status, I was impressed by Billy Walker's vision for this distillery. Since acquiring GlenAllachie in 2017, Walker has transformed it from a quiet producer of blending stock into a single malt brand with a genuine cult following. The 12 year old showed promise, but I've been curious about the 15 Walker's own favourite from the core range, which he describes as "the perfect representation of the distillery's DNA." That's quite a claim. Let's see if it holds up.
Bottle
GlenAllachie updated their bottle design in 2024, and it's a classy affair. The bottle has a good weight to it, with clean lines and a label that manages to be information-rich without feeling cluttered. The label itself has an attractive design with subtle flecks of darker blue that add visual interest without being over the top. It's modern without trying to be flashy and it's confident enough to let the whisky do the talking.
Colour
This is naturally coloured and, frankly, incredible! The colour is a deep, rich mahogany — almost reddish in certain lights. This is what 15 years in a combination of Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks looks like when you don't artificially enhance it. It's genuinely beautiful, and knowing it's the real deal makes it all the more satisfying to look at.
Nose - This is an unashamedly sherried nose. Dark dried fruits dominate - raisins, dates, figs - backed by rich caramel and dark chocolate. There's candied orange peel weaving through, along with Christmas cake spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, a hint of clove. Underneath all that sweetness, there's toasted oak and perhaps a touch of walnut. It's bold, it's rich, and it doesn't apologise for being a sherry bomb. This is exactly what Billy Walker does.
Palate - The palate hits you with waves of sweetness initially. Cherry cordials and dark chocolate fudge lead the charge, followed by orange marmalade and walnut. There's a thick, almost syrupy mouthfeel that coats your mouth - this is a substantial dram. Baking spices build as it develops: ginger, pepper, cinnamon. The sherry influence is everywhere, but it's not one-dimensional. There are layers here - dark fruits giving way to nutty notes, sweetness balanced by oak tannins and spice.
Finish - Medium to long, and interestingly, this is where the whisky becomes a bit more restrained. The sweetness from the palate fades, leaving drier oak tannins, dark chocolate, and lingering spice. There's a slight bitterness from the wood - not unpleasant, but enough to balance what could otherwise be an overly sweet dram. Ginger and pepper linger on the tongue.
Overall
GlenAllachie 15 is Billy Walker doing what Billy Walker does best: big, bold, unapologetically sherried Speyside whisky. If you loved what he did at GlenDronach, you'll recognise the style immediately.
Is it subtle? Absolutely not. This isn't a delicate dram you contemplate quietly. It's a full-throttle sherry experience that grabs you by the lapels and demands attention. For some, that will be exactly what they want, especially as we head into winter and Christmas.
For me, it's a step up from the 12 year old in terms of complexity and depth. Those extra three years in cask have added richness and a better balance between the sweet fruit and the drier oak elements. The finish, in particular, is more interesting - that slight bitterness and tannic quality prevents it from being cloying.
At around £65-70, this is solid value for a 15 year old, naturally coloured, non-chill filtered whisky at 46% ABV. It's also a perfect Christmas dram - rich, warming, and with all those festive spice and dried fruit notes that make you think of Christmas cake and mince pies.
Would I buy it again? Yes, but probably as a special occasion bottle rather than an everyday dram. It's too intense for regular sipping, but when you want something bold and satisfying on a cold winter evening, this delivers exactly what it promises. Billy Walker knows his sherry casks, and it shows.
Typically available for around £65