GlenAllachie 2006 Single Cask #4768 14 Years Old

A limited-edition, single-cask bottling showcasing the rich, sherried character of GlenAllachie under the stewardship of master distiller Billy Walker.

Historical Context

GlenAllachie Distillery, located near Aberlour in Speyside, has a history dating back to 1967. For most of its life, it functioned as a key supplier for blended whiskies (primarily Chivas Regal and Clan Campbell), meaning official single malt bottlings were extremely rare. This changed dramatically in 2017 when the distillery was acquired by a consortium led by industry veteran and Master Distiller Billy Walker.

Walker is known for his expertise in cask management, and under his tenure, GlenAllachie shifted its focus entirely to high-quality single malts, heavily emphasizing single cask releases and sherry cask maturation. The existing stock, largely from the 2000s, proved to be an excellent base spirit for this new maturation regime.

The 2006 Single Cask #4768 is a prime example of a modern, post-takeover release, though the spirit itself was distilled under previous ownership. Bottled in 2020 at 14 years old, the whisky was finished or fully matured in a Pedro Ximénez (PX) Puncheon, a large sherry cask renowned for imparting deep colour, sweetness, and dark fruit notes. The single cask nature, the high ABV of 59.8% (Cask Strength), and the small outturn of 682 bottles cement its status as a high-end, highly sought-after collector's item that demonstrates the profound effect of Walker’s cask selection.

Technical Specification & Variant Map

This Speyside Single Malt is defined by its cask type and presentation strength.

• Cask Type: The use of a Pedro Ximénez Puncheon is the key technical feature. PX sherry is known for its intense, raisined sweetness, which imparts rich notes of dark fruit, chocolate, and treacle to the whisky. A Puncheon is a large cask (around 480-500 litres) that allows for a slower, more balanced wood interaction than a smaller butt.²
• Cask Strength: Bottled at a high 59.8% ABV, the whisky is presented unreduced, preserving the intense concentration of flavours developed over 14 years.
• Non-Chill-Filtered & Natural Colour: Consistent with the modern GlenAllachie philosophy, the bottling is NCF and has No colouring added, allowing the deep mahogany hue derived from the active sherry cask to be visible.

Documented variants

GlenAllachie single cask releases are highly diverse, differentiated by cask type (PX, Oloroso, Virgin Oak), age, and ABV.

• GlenAllachie 2006 Single Cask #4768 (59.8% ABV): The specific 14 Year Old PX Puncheon under review.
• GlenAllachie 10 Year Old Cask Strength Batch [X]: A series of high-strength, multi-cask vatting releases.
• GlenAllachie Single Cask # [XXXX] Virgin Oak: Single casks released with highly experimental wood types.

 Packaging & authenticity checklist

The bottle's integrity is determined by the label's precise detailing.

• Labelling: The label must clearly identify the Distillation Year (2006), Bottling Year (2020), Cask Number (#4768), Cask Type (PX Puncheon), and the Outturn (682 bottles), alongside the 59.8% ABV.
• Closure and Fill: Standard cork and capsule. The fill level should be excellent (Into Neck).
• Colour: The liquid should be a deep mahogany or dark amber hue, reflecting the influence of the active PX cask.
• Common Pitfalls: Due to its high value, buyers should be wary of bottles where the specific single cask details are obscured or inconsistent with official releases.

Regulatory/terminology notes

• Single Cask: Confirms the liquid was drawn from only one cask, ensuring a unique, non-vatted flavour profile.
• Pedro Ximénez (PX) Puncheon: PX is an intensely sweet dessert sherry, and its use imparts a profile of raisins, molasses, and figs. The term Puncheon refers to a large size of sherry cask.
• Cask Strength, NCF, Natural Colour: These features (59.8% ABV, Non-Chill-Filtered, No colouring added) ensure the consumer experiences the whisky in its rawest, most concentrated form, which is a key pillar of the Billy Walker-era philosophy.

Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)

The profile is intensely sherried, rich, and spicy, demonstrating the excellent integration of the GlenAllachie spirit with the active PX wood.

Nose: Deeply rich and sweet. Immediate notes of dark cocoa, treacle, sultanas, and figs dominate, complemented by strong spice notes like cinnamon and nutmeg. Hints of warm malt and coffee are present.

Palate: Thick, oily, and luxurious mouthfeel. A concentrated wave of sticky dates, raisins, dark honey, and molasses. This heavy sweetness is expertly balanced by a robust spice kick, including black pepper, dark chocolate, and oak tannins, with the high ABV providing significant warmth.

Finish: Long, warming, and tannic. The finish lingers with baking spices, dark fruit, and a pleasant, drying oak edge.

With water: Highly recommended. A few drops of water reduce the fire of the high ABV (59.8%), allowing the underlying sweet fruit esters to become creamier and the cocoa notes to deepen without being flattened.

Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)

The market is exceptionally strong and high-value, driven by the combination of the Billy Walker-era reputation, high age, single cask status, and PX sherry maturation.

Original RRP (GBP): Not stated by the producer. Estimated to have been in the £120.00 - £150.00 range upon release in 2020.

Current UK retail range (GBP, incl. VAT): £249.95 - £340.00 (Based on comparable 14-year-old PX single cask listings).

Recent UK/EU auction range (GBP, hammer): £170.00 - £230.00 (Typical hammer price range for high-quality, aged single casks).

Pricing stratification: Pricing is extremely sensitive to the cask type (PX is high-value) and the outturn (682 bottles is a small run).

FX note: No conversion used.

Liquidity & sourcing note: Liquidity is sporadic; the bottle is sold out in retail and appears frequently at specialist auctions. Demand is consistently very high, ensuring a fast velocity.

Sourcing

Buyers should target bottles with a pristine label and presentation tube. The PX Puncheon cask type is highly desirable.

Red flags to avoid include any discrepancies in the printed outturn or ABV (59.8%).

Fill level must be excellent (Into Neck).

Margin expectations are high, as the secondary market value consistently exceeds the original retail price. Velocity is fast.