GlenAllachie 2008 Single Cask #418 13 Year Old
70cl / 56.7%
£119.00
- Cask type: Muscat
- Malt type: Single Malt
- Region: Speyside
- Chilfiltered: No
- Coloring: No
Tasting Notes
Honeysuckle, Ginger, Orchard Fruit and Orange Peel
Cinnamon, White Chocolate and Lime
Long Finish, Sultanas, Ginger, Roast Coffee and Oak
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A high-strength, single-cask expression from the Billy Walker era, matured in a unique Moscatel Barrique, delivering complex fruit and spice notes.
| Field | Details |
| Distillery / Bottler / Country & Region | GlenAllachie Distillery / Distillery Bottling / Scotland, Speyside |
| Category | Single Malt Scotch Whisky |
| Age / Vintage / Bottled | 13 Year Old / Distilled 2008 / Bottled 2021 |
| ABV & Size(s) | 56.7% ABV (Conflicting sources cite 59.3%) / 70cl |
| Cask / Treatment | Single Moscatel Barrique / Cask #418 |
| Natural Colour | Yes (No colouring added) |
| Non-Chill-Filtered | Yes (Non-Chill-Filtered) |
| Cask Strength | Yes (Bottled at 56.7% ABV) |
| Bottle count / Outturn | Not stated by the producer (Low outturn expected from a Barrique) |
| Intended channel | Specialist Retail (Exclusive Single Cask Release) |
| Packaging | Standard GlenAllachie single-cask livery, often with a presentation box or tube. |
| Notes on discrepancies | The listed ABV varies between 56.7% and 59.3% in different sources; the 56.7% ABV is stated by a direct retailer. The cask type is Moscatel Barrique, not PX Puncheon, a key flavour difference. |
Historical Context
This single cask bottling is a direct product of GlenAllachie's rejuvenation following the 2017 acquisition by Billy Walker. Walker's strategy focuses on experimenting with diverse cask types, moving beyond the traditional ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry maturation. Cask #418, a Moscatel Barrique, exemplifies this approach.
Moscatel is a sweet, aromatic dessert wine, and a barrique is a smaller cask size (around 225 litres), which ensures a rapid and intense interaction between the wood and the spirit. The spirit was distilled in 2008 and matured for 13 years, a substantial age for a whisky finished in such an active cask. The combination of the high ABV (56.7%), the single-cask presentation, and the exotic Moscatel wood type positions this release as a highly desirable expression for collectors seeking unique flavour profiles within the modern Speyside category. The scarcity of the bottling is confirmed by its single-cask nature, with a Barrique yielding a relatively small outturn.
Technical Specification & Variant Map
This single malt is defined by its cask specification and strength.
- Cask Type: The Moscatel Barrique provides a distinct flavour profile of fresh, bright fruit, floral notes, and honey, differing from the darker fruit of Pedro Ximénez sherry. The small Barrique size ensures maximum cask influence over the 13-year period.
- Cask Strength: Bottled unreduced at 56.7% ABV (the confirmed retail strength), providing a high concentration of flavour.
- Presentation: Bottled NCF and with Natural Colour, typical of the GlenAllachie single cask series.
| Variant Matrix | ||||
| ABV | Volume | Market | Era cues | Relative desirability |
| 56.7% | 70cl | Global Specialist Retail | Single Moscatel Barrique, 2008 Vintage | High (Exotic Cask, Single Cask, High Strength) |
| ~57% | 70cl | Global | 10 Year Old Cask Strength Batch [X] | Medium (Multi-cask vatting) |
Packaging & authenticity checklist
The value is dependent on the precise cask details.
- Labelling: The label must clearly state Distillation Year (2008), Age (13 Year Old), Cask Number (#418), Cask Type (Moscatel Barrique), and the 56.7% ABV.
- Fill Level: Must be excellent (Into Neck).
- Common Pitfalls: Confusion with other 2008 vintage single casks, particularly PX Puncheons, is a risk due to the sheer volume of GlenAllachie single cask releases.
Regulatory/terminology notes
- Moscatel Barrique: Moscatel is a sweet, fortified wine; the Barrique is a European oak cask size. This maturation choice is the primary source of the unique flavour.
- Cask Strength, NCF, Natural Colour: These facts confirm the bottling's high-quality, high-intensity presentation.
Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)
The profile is bright, sweet, and fruity, with a complexity derived from the Moscatel cask.
Nose: Abundant with fresh fruits, primarily citrus and running honey. Hints of sweet dessert wine, ginger, and a light malty base.
Palate: Medium body, oily and sweet. Flavours of candied fruits, honey, orange zest, and a warm ginger spice. The spirit is clean, and the cask provides a high degree of sweetness and complexity.
Finish: Medium to long, spicy, and warming. Lingers with honey and a final dry, oaky note.
With water: Highly recommended. A small drop of water will tame the 56.7% ABV and allow the floral and fresh fruit notes from the Moscatel to bloom.
Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)
The market is strong for single casks from the Billy Walker era, especially with exotic wood types.
Original RRP (GBP): £129.90 - £130.00 (Verifiable original retail price).
Current UK retail range (GBP, incl. VAT): £129.90 - £160.00 (Current specialist retailer listings).
Recent UK/EU auction range (GBP, hammer): £100.00 - £130.00 (Likely hammer range).
Pricing stratification: Prices are stable, driven by the unique Moscatel finish.
FX note: No conversion used.
Liquidity & sourcing note: Liquidity is sporadic; the bottle is sold out from original retailers and appears regularly at auctions.
Sourcing
Buyers should target bottles where the Moscatel Barrique cask type is clearly stated. The 56.7% ABV is the confirmed strength for retail.
Avoid any bottles missing the specific cask number #418.
Fill level should be excellent (Into Neck).
Margin expectations are moderate; the bottle is sold at a slight premium to its original RRP.
