GlenAllachie’s oldest release yet, and a fresh new look for the bottles.
It’s the dawn of the new era for spirits, as brands are actively seeking to renew their looks and offerings for the next generation of spirits enthusiasts.
The newest heritage whisky brand to “join the club”, so to speak, is the GlenAllachie, a Speyside distillery that is turning a new page with a refined visual identity and the launch of its oldest expression yet—a 35-year-old single malt. What is more exciting is that this new era is shaped by the experience and vision of Master Distiller Billy Walker.
With a career spanning more than five decades, Billy Walker stands as one of the most esteemed figures in the Scotch whisky industry. His background in chemistry gave him a deep understanding of the science behind whisky production, flavour development, and blending. Known for his talent in transforming lesser-known whiskies into widely celebrated brands, he has worked his magic on names like GlenDronach and Glenglassaugh.
Related read: The Glendronach: A new era for its sherry-cask whisky
Exciting developments are certainly underway, as Walker remarked during the media event at The Backdrop, “We’re not bounded by legacy history of the brand, which opens the brand up to do more interesting things for our whiskies.”
Heritage brand, but not binded by its legacy
Since taking ownership of the distillery in 2017, Walker has reshaped GlenAllachie by first leveraging its vast stock housed in 16 warehouses. Known for his exceptional cask selection skills, Walker has overseen every step of the production process, building a team of dedicated whisky enthusiasts who share his passion for quality.
GlenAllachie is allowed to flourish as an independent distillery, free to follow its own path. This freedom allows the assembled team to focus on what they do best—crafting exceptional whisky. For Walker, it’s not about creating the same whisky over and over again; it’s about making each release better than the last.
GlenAllachie’s limited-edition 35-year-old
The highlight of this new chapter is the release of The GlenAllachie’s oldest whisky to date. Aged for 35 years, this limited edition is a blend of six exceptional casks dating back to 1989. With a combination of three Pedro Ximénez, one Oloroso, and two virgin oak casks, the whisky is described as having a “luscious harmony of rich mocha, tropical pineapple, warming spices, and indulgent treacle tart.”
Encased in a UK-made oak presentation box with intricate carvings, the 35-year-old is displayed in a wide-shouldered decanter that echoes the distillery’s iconic style. The presentation includes thoughtful details like a removable oak plinth and a booklet featuring Billy Walker’s handwritten notes on the whisky’s creation, printed on eco-friendly paper.
Billy Walker calls it “a testament to The GlenAllachie’s dedication, patience, and relentless pursuit of perfection.”
TL;DR Tasting Notes
ABV: 48% non-chill filtered
Colour: Intense auburn with no added colour
Nose: Mocha, cinnamon, heather honey and pineapple, with hints of raisins, pomegranate and eucalyptus.
Taste: Dark chocolate, mocha, raisins and dried fruit, fusing with heather honey, treacle and pineapple, with hints of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.
A visual revamp
This visual update is a statement of intent, according to marketing director, Colette Savage, “We wanted to rejuvenate the brand while staying true to our roots.”
The refreshed branding includes hand-crafted typography and a modern slant, inspired by the distillery’s unique silhouette. The design embraces a warm, earthy colour palette that reflects Walker’s combination of instinct and precision in crafting whisky.
Despite the fresh aesthetic, GlenAllachie’s signature quality remains unchanged. Its core offerings—10-, 12-, 15-, and 18-year-old single malts—continue to embody the distinctive character that has won the brand accolades in the whisky world.
Year of the Snake 2025
To mark the 2025 Lunar New Year, a limited edition 11-year-old single malt has been crafted specifically for the Year of the Snake. This special expression is a blend of Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso Sherry casks, along with toasted and charred virgin oak barrels. The resulting whisky offers indulgent flavours of pear, ginger cake, and butterscotch, bit of West meeting East, making it a fitting toast for the festive season.
The whisky comes in a bespoke carton adorned with gold foil and embossed details, reflecting the luxury associated with this celebratory edition. A striking 3D gold snake charm decorates the bottle neck, while the packaging’s green tone nods to the wood element linked to the Year of the Snake.
Where to buy GlenAllachie whisky
For whisky enthusiasts in Singapore, The GlenAllachie’s revamped core range (the 10-, 12-, 15-, and 18-year-old expressions) and the 35-year-old expression will be available starting in November through AsiaEuro’s website with island-wide delivery, as well as in select bars and restaurants.
You may also find the older versions on Amazon.
For more information, visit The GlenAllachie’s official website.
