The Glenallachie Releases Rare Mizunara and Oloroso-finished whisky
The GlenAllachie 17yo Mizunara & Oloroso Cask Finish
The GlenAllachie releases 17yo Mizunara & Oloroso Cask Finish.
Leading independent Scotch whisky distillery The GlenAllachie debuts the first single malt to join its Master of Wood series: a 17-year-old Mizunara & Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish.
Spearheaded by whisky maker of 52 years, Billy Walker, the multi-award-winning Speyside producer is known for its flair for sourcing and managing both quality and unusual casks from around the world.
The new 17-year-old expression (UK RRSP £260.99) features whisky matured in rare Mizunara oak barrels combined with spirit from rich Oloroso Sherry puncheons and hogsheads.
Mizunara is a scarce Japanese oak seldom used for whisky maturation due to its high cost and the challenges it poses in coopering and maturation. Its tendency to twist as it grows can create issues during stave production, and its porous nature means its casks are inclined to leak.
Translating to ‘water oak’ in English, Mizunara has very low tannins but high levels of vanilla-flavoured compounds. Its casks typically impart notes of sweet spices, sandalwood and charred oak.
Produced in Spain’s Andalusia region, Oloroso is a dry Sherry style subjected to lengthy oxidative ageing without a ‘flor’ yeast layer. It is known for its dark colour and pronounced nutty, dried fruit qualities.
The unique expression is the first in the brand’s new Masters of Wood series: a super-premium arm of its Wood Collection reserved for its most luxurious and experimental wood finishes.
The distillery’s tagline ‘Whisky in Good Hands’ and the new Masters of Wood series solidify The GlenAllachie’s standing as cask experts within the Scotch whisky arena.
The Mizunara & Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish is presented at 50% ABV, without artificial colouring or chill filtration.
Billy Walker walking the rows in The Glenallachie warehouse
Commenting on the high-end expression, Walker shares:
“As a chemist, I find both cask management and blending truly fascinating. This release combines the finest and rarest of casks with carefully considered blending. I feel incredibly fortunate to have worked with Mizunara, a very uncommon Japanese oak that provides exceptional character but, in turn, throws plenty of challenges our way. Having said that, the result is beyond worth the trials and tribulations.
“The flavour delivery from the Mizunara barrels, interwoven with the nutty, spicy character of the Oloroso casks, culminates in a spectacular single malt with delectable notes of apple strudel, runny honey, chocolate-covered hazelnuts and stem ginger. This is indulgence at its finest.”
With a UK RRSP of £260.99, The GlenAllachie 17-year-old Mizunara & Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish will become increasingly available from today at specialist retailers globally.
The GlenAllachie 17yo Mizunara & Oloroso Cask Finish
About GlenAllachie:
At The GlenAllachie, each decision in creating our award-winning Speyside single malt merges logic with instinct. In the experienced hands of legendary whisky maker Billy Walker, a culture of precision, patience and perseverance has been instilled in his small yet accomplished team of whisky experts.
Being independent offers us the freedom to prioritise what matters most: quality. The pursuit is not of consistency, but perfection. Never resting on our laurels, we work tirelessly to refine and enhance each batch of whisky, striving to better the last.
The result of seamlessly coordinated collaboration is a range of carefully crafted and cask-perfected whiskies, each personally approved by Billy. With a quietly confident team of passionate whisky enthusiasts behind The GlenAllachie, you can be sure we have our whisky in good hands.
Our other brands are Meikle Tòir Peated Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky, MacNair’s Boutique House of Spirits—which encompasses Lum Reek Blended Malt Scotch Whisky and Exploration Rum—and White Heather Blended Scotch Whisky.
Further information on the distillery and company can be found at www.theglenallachie.com
Tasting Notes:
The GlenAllachie 17-year-old Mizunara & Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish – 50% ABV
Colour: Intense Mahogany.
Nose: Heather honey, dried orange peel and crystalised ginger, with notes of cocoa, toasted tobacco leaves and fresh vanilla pods.
Taste: Baking spices, dried blood orange and grilled honeycomb, followed by bursts of rich cocoa, poached cinnamon apples and fig syrup, with pecans and demerara sugar.
