GlenAllachie 2008 Single Cask #5923 11 Year Old

A vibrant, cask strength Ruby Port expression, showcasing the powerful results of smaller hogshead maturation during Walker's early era.

At-a-Glance

Historical Context

The 2008 vintage spirit represents part of the younger, higher-potential stock inherited by the new management team in 2017. Bottled at 11 years old in September 2020, this release is crucial for demonstrating the agility and quality of the revitalized distillery in its first years of operation. The relatively quick bottling, contrasting with the 15- and 17-year-old expressions, proves that a high-intensity flavour profile can be achieved through deliberate wood selection without requiring decades of ageing.

The choice of a Ruby Port Hogshead, confirmed in the technical specifications, is characteristic of GlenAllachie’s expansive cask management strategy. Ruby Port casks are typically selected to impart bolder, primary red fruit and berry characteristics, offering a distinct profile separate from the more oxidative notes of Tawny Port. This expression served to quickly establish the distillery’s reputation for highly effective and varied wine-cask finishing.

Technical Specification & Variant Map

Cask #5923 was a Ruby Port Hogshead. The Hogshead volume (approximately 250 litres) is smaller than the Port Pipe used for Cask #868. This reduced size maximizes the ratio of wood surface area to spirit volume, enabling the intense flavour transfer evident after only 11 years of maturation. This is a deliberate strategy to achieve rapid flavour depth.

The bottling strength is 54.2% ABV, firmly establishing it as a Cask Strength offering in accordance with the distillery’s standards. The spirit’s integrity is affirmed by the clear status as Non-Chill-Filtered (NCF) and No Colouring. Although the exact number is not stated by the producer, the Hogshead size implies a limited outturn, likely under 300 bottles, contributing significantly to its immediate scarcity. This bottle was released as a Distillery Exclusive or targeted market release.

Documented variants

Cask #5923 is a unique, one-off single cask expression.

Variant Matrix

Packaging & authenticity checklist

Provenance confirmation requires verifying the specific single cask designation Cask #5923, the 11-Year-Old age statement, and the individual bottle number. Given the recent bottling date (2020) and high ABV, the bottle should exhibit perfect integrity, with no signs of fill level degradation. The NCF and Natural Colour status confirm the production methodology.

Regulatory/terminology notes

The distillery’s commitment to NCF and Natural Colour is crucial for this expression. The Ruby Port wood naturally imparts a pronounced hue, and the exclusion of chill filtration preserves the textured mouthfeel and all the complex flavour compounds extracted during the intense hogshead maturation.

Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)

The Ruby Port Hogshead delivers a rich, fruit-forward profile married with typical Speyside characteristics.

Nose: Concentrated prunes and strong notes of Port wine are dominant, along with a secondary layer of tree nuts.

Palate: Described as extremely rich and very balanced. Flavours include deep Port concentration, complemented by the sweetness of heather honey and substantial toffee notes.

Finish: The conclusion is noted as long and lingering. Specific closing characteristics include pronounced orange peel, warming ginger, and oak integration.

Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)

The initial primary market valuation was highly competitive. The Original RRP was listed at £109.00. This competitive pricing ensured immediate and total exhaustion of the stock. The rapid sell-out created significant pressure in the secondary market. The strong collector appeal for these early, intense single casks, coupled with the low initial RRP, implies strong potential for secondary market margins. Liquidity is high, though sourcing is restricted to secondary auctions and niche specialist retail.

Price Snapshot

Distillery/Bottler Snapshot

This 11-year-old bottling is an essential marker for GlenAllachie’s early independent period. It showcases the distillery’s capacity to achieve complex flavour delivery quickly through strategic wood selection, reinforcing its reputation for aggressive and high-quality cask management.

Sourcing

Target formats/eras

Target the 2020 bottling release, verifying Cask #5923 and the Ruby Port Hogshead maturation.

Red flags to avoid

Any attempt to sell this below the original £109 RRP should be scrutinized, as its rapid consumption indicates genuine bottles should command a secondary premium.

Condition thresholds

Perfect condition is required, including label and fill level integrity.

Margin/velocity expectations

High secondary margins are anticipated due to the small production volume and high demand. Velocity is high within specialized collector markets.