The GlenAllachie 12 years Old Sauternes Wine Cask Finish

I've previously expressed my fondness for this distillery, particularly since its acquisition by the Master distiller, transforming it into an award-winning establishment. This particular bottling is one of three from their "wine cask series," with the other two being exceptional: the Grattamaco and the Rioja cask finish. This time, I sampled the Sauternes cask finish to complete my reviews of this new collection. Bottled at 48% ABV, it has a golden hue. The nose is somewhat muted and requires careful examination, revealing stewed apples, mashed apples, and thick vanilla. A subtle aromatic smoke is present. It has a fondant-like quality that seems past its prime. After an initial taste, aromas of pineapple pie, vanilla syrup, cinnamon, and honey emerged. The palate is sweet and easy to drink, though not exceptionally complex. Flavors of yellow apples, pineapple core, apple pie, and subdued cinnamon are noticeable, much like a pie itself, with hints of honey and peaches. The aftertaste takes a different direction, not mirroring the nose or palate. It offers mild spiciness, mashed apples, and a very grassy, earthy character with abundant 'farmy' hay notes and traces of honey. Overall, this release did not match the quality of the other two expressions in the same "wine cask finishes" collection. It felt muted, somewhat unrefined, lacked clarity in its aroma and tasting notes, and seemed discordant. I had anticipated a much better experience. It's not a bad spirit, just not memorable. My rating is 76 out of 100.

Nose of raisins with noticeable botrytis, also an ice poiré appears with floral honey, apple cider notes, so a very complex nose. On the palate, dry wood takes over with a silky texture that isn't too oily, less sweet than Glenmorangie Nectar d’Or. The finish is medium length, a bit bitter and especially woody. So the sauternes is mainly present on the nose and at the start of the sip, perhaps reappearing as vanilla cake at the end.

Compared to the standard 12-year using bourbon, sherry, and virgin oak, the Sauternes cask definitely brings a stronger sweetness. While the color and aroma don't match the standard 12y, there's a taste of sweet noble rot wine rather than thick berries. The finish is similarly short with little lingering. The alcohol content also feels higher at 48%.

A sweet vintage from 2008.