Master Distiller Billy Walker Unveils GlenAllachie’s Pursuit of Peated Perfection
Under the helm of renowned master distiller Billy Walker, the distillery rolls out its inaugural core lineup since his takeover in 2017. Named Meikle Tòir, or “big pursuit,” the collection showcases Walker’s quest for peated excellence, initiated in 2018.
Utilizing mainland peat sourced from St. Fergus, the distillery commits to a six-week annual production cycle, yielding around 100,000 liters of alcohol.
The core offerings include:
- The Original (50% ABV; £51 UK RRSP)
- The Sherry One (48% ABV; £50 UK RRSP)
- The Chinquapin (48% ABV; £50 UK RRSP)
- The Turbo 2023 Edition (50% ABV; £51 UK RRSP)
Maturation profiles vary. The Original matures in a trifecta of first-fill Bourbon barrels, American virgin oak, and Rye barrels. The Sherry One gains complexity from Pedro Ximénez and oloroso sherry puncheons post its American oak stint. The Chinquapin transitions from American oak to virgin Chinquapin oak barrels, sourced from Missouri’s Northern Ozark region.
Each expression carries a five-year age statement, underscoring quality over quantity.
In the lexicon of Walker, “This is the endgame for GlenAllachie, the moment we’ve all been assembling for. Five years in the works, it embodies our efforts since assuming control of the distillery. Our aim has always been clear: to produce a peated single malt that’s a game-changer. Key choices include extending fermentation to 160 hours for a richer profile, and using mainland peat for a more oaky smokiness. These, combined with premium oak casks, guide us in our relentless pursuit of peated perfection.”
