Glenallachie 16 Years Old Present Edition Billy Walker 50th Anniversary 49% NV

Professional reviews

BOW (90)

The second edition in honor of Billy Walker's 50th anniversary has been released with a special second aging in Japanese oak. This 16-year-old single malt is the second whisky in a triptych of bottlings that highlight this anniversary.
Whiskey legend Billy Walker is renowned for his ability to source interesting and unusual casks, especially from small-scale, premium producers. As a certified chemist, Billy has a genuine interest in the flavor development of the spirit during the maturation process. In doing so, he analyzes how the whisky develops on interesting or little used woods.
This refined and rare single malt represents Billy's present time. The time when he eagerly worked on an incredibly innovative barrel management policy. Mizunara is a very scarce and expensive type of Japanese oak and is rarely used for whisky maturation. It is a difficult oak to tub because the tree does not grow straight. This presents a challenge for stave production. There are also many knots in the wood, so that the barrels leak easily. The trees must be about 200 years old before being cut down; twice as old as most oaks used for barrels. After a complex two-step maturation journey in sherry and mizunara casks, this special single malt was created.

Tasting Notes:
Colour: Intense chestnut.
Nose: Full of dark chocolate, heather honey and grilled almonds, with hints of sandalwood, ginger, orange peel, caramelized pecans and coconut shavings.

Palate: Heather honey, cinnamon and candied ginger, followed by demerara sugar, dried dark berries, hazelnuts and fig syrup.

Finish: In the long finish, dark sweet tones alternate with fresh spicy notes.