GlenAllachie 10 Year Cask Strength Batch 4

The 2021 World Whiskies Awards winner for Best Single Malt was this GlenAllachie Batch Strength No. 4. I have to admit, I've tried several GlenAllachies this year, and they were all excellent. The 12yo and the Grattamaco wine finish are remarkable expressions that have made me a big fan of this distillery. The person in charge, the legendary Billy Walker, has achieved significant awards in only three years as the new owner/Master Distiller. He has stated his goal is ten years to make this distillery the absolute best, and I believe him, as he crafted all my preferred Glendronachs. Now, let's review the "World's Best Single Malt." It's bottled at 56.1 ABV with a natural chestnut color. The aroma was perfect to start. Apricots, dried oranges, rich honey, coffee, and dark stewed fruits. Peaches, Turkish delight, and gentle spice. It smells just like "Whoppers malted chocolate milk balls." Dried citrus fruits. A second taste revealed maraschino cherries; it has this fantastic orange/tangerine caramel. The taste was not what I anticipated. Bitter; orange juice, intensely citrusy; a salt overload. The second sip was definitely oaky and salty, excessively so. The finish was pleasant, but not amazing. It's dry, with notes of chocolate, hay, and tobacco. A nice bitter conclusion, with sawdust undertones. Overall, I had Batch 5 before this one, and it was mind-blowing. The awarded Batch 4 wasn't overwhelmingly impressive. A very good drink, quite enjoyable, but too salty and oaky. I felt a bit let down here, but the good news is that Batch No. 5 was extraordinary, suggesting they improved the product. My total score was 89 out of 100, with most points earned for the incredible aroma.

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 Christmassy dram. There's less of the honey/orange that I always think of from the distillery, but this is a delicious, easy drinking dram. Lovely!

It needs a lot of time in the glass and some water to open up, but patience is richly rewarded! It tastes better with each sip, even after an hour in the glass. Delicious nose of caramel, banana, dried fruits, and creamy vanilla. The palate is spicier with cinnamon and cloves, and a bit leathery. It has a pleasant, coating mouthfeel and a long, lingering finish where the orange marmalade flavors last the longest.