A trio of rather fearless, almost dangerous Glenallachies


July 15, 2026

A trio of rather fearless, almost dangerous Glenallachies

Two peated ones and one unpeated but heavily sherried version, which is therefore where we'll begin, if that's all right with you. (Porsche)

Glenallachie 18 yo 2006/2024 (61.5%, Signatory Vintage for World of Whisky by Waldhaus, sherry hogshead, cask #900442, 289 bottles)

Should you ever find yourself passing through St Moritz, do stop at Waldhaus and pay a visit to their incredible whisky bar. Mind you, you would be well advised to book a room beforehand, just in case... At any rate, you certainly won't be driving for the next few hours. Colour: amber. Nose: it isn't because we're in Switzerland that I'm saying this, but this is packed with chocolate, walnut wine and slightly mature Pinot Noir, evoking saddle of hare with wild mushrooms. They do make some excellent Pinot Noir in Switzerland, especially in the Valais. With water: it doesn't budge in the slightest, it's even more immovable than the Matterhorn. Mouth (neat): immensely powerful, taut and peppery, with splendid bitterness and, above all, Seville oranges, followed by chocolate in the style of 90% cocoa. With water: it relaxes, softens, moving towards chocolate sauce enriched with triple sec. On the other hand, green walnuts also come more to the fore. Finish: long, rather on crushed pepper and bitter oranges. Reminiscent of a fine Italian bitter. Not necessarily a red one, mind... Comments: there is undeniably a vermouth-like side to this. Excellent.
SGP:461 - 87 points.

Glenallachie 5 yo ‘Meikle Toir The Turbo 2025 Edition’ (50%, OB)

This is Glenallachie's Octomore, if you see what I mean. Let's just say it, we had loved the first edition back in 2023. At least I believe it was the first edition (WF 88). In any case, the peat comes from the mainland, and the peat ppm are twice those of the regular Meikle Toir, 72 versus 35. I also note that quite a few enthusiasts seem to be growing weary of peat at all costs, though not us. Not yet... Colour: deep amber. Nose: stylistically, this isn't Scottish at all. We would place it somewhere between the Netherlands (Millstone), and Germany (St. Kilian), but that suits us perfectly well, we're not fetishists. And above all, not Scottish... In short, bitter walnuts, bitter almonds, tar, black pepper, fresh rubber, neoprene glue... You get the picture. With water: an absolutely massive inkiness. Mouth (neat): it gives you a proper shake, gloriously bitter, rich, hugely tarry, peppery and, above all, packed with tobacco. With water: it barely softens, though oranges come in and take command, and we absolutely love that. Finish: long, with massive smoke, pepper and salt, followed by bitter oranges and gingerbread. The aftertaste is more herbal and utterly dominated by ashes. Comments: probably the least Scottish of Scottish malts. The trouble is, at just five years of age, it is frightfully good.
SGP:468 - 87 points.

We're beginning to think we ought to have tasted the next one before this 'Turbo', but it's too late now, there's no way back... Besides, it's PX...

Glenallachie Meikle Toir 7 yo 2018/2025 (60.1%, OB for Kirsch Import, Awakening Series, PX sherry hogshead, cask #11562, 360 bottles)

Colour: reddish amber. Nose: this almost feels gentle after the Turbo, the peat and the PX are both remarkably well behaved, yet there are some lovely dark honeys, or rather honeydews. Chestnut honey is especially prominent. Behind that come peppers, sweet peppers, bitter walnuts and all manner of conifer resins. With water: pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, pepper and fresh rubber, think brand-new wellies or a scuba diving suit. Or a new parcel from Temu or AliExpress. Mouth (neat): this time the peppery tension and bitter oranges are absolutely immense, it's just a little too powerful for me. I know, I know, but it really is massive and it could very well attack your gums. Indeed. With water: we've got it now, it calms down a little, with Corinth raisins, though, on the other hand, mustard now comes to the fore as well. Finish: the impression of chewing fir needles. Comments: really not an easy one, this isn't a tasting, it's a wrestling match. In any case, given the choice, we rather preferred the Turbo. Perhaps that's our inner Porsche enthusiast speaking.
SGP:567 - 85 points.

Check the index of all Glenallachie we've tasted