GlenAllachie Distillery is to offer tours for the first time in over 50 years as it opens a visitor centre and shop.
Under previous owners Pernod Ricard, GlenAllachie in Aberlour, Speyside, was predominantly used for blending and closed to the public.
But Billy Walker and The GlenAllachie Distillers Company, who took over in 2017, have made a 12-year-old and 29-year-old malt available and opened the distillery to visitors.
The 12 year old distillery exclusive, priced at £95, was matured in a Bourbon barrel and Walker describes it as tasting of “honey, apricots and mocha, with hints of mint”. The 29 year old, which costs £350, was matured in a Hogshead and Walker handpicked it for its taste of “toffee apples, mocha, pineapples and dark chocolate”.
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The visitor centre opened in time for the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival , which runs until Monday.
Walker said: “The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is a highlight of the year with whisky fans from all the over the world flocking to the region. For many, this will be the first chance they’ve had to visit our distillery, visitor centre and shop and sample our single malt. I wanted to make the best possible first impression so I’ve personally selected two casks, which I believe provide wonderful examples of the type of single malt whisky we’re producing here.”
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The new visitor centre will be managed by Karen McWilliam who has extensive experience, having previously worked with GlenDronach distillery.
McWilliam said: “This is a historic and exciting time for everyone here at GlenAllachie as we start to welcome people to our new visitor centre and to take a tour of the distillery for the first time in over 50 years. For a long time, the distillery has been one of Speyside’s best-kept secrets, but now we’re creating our own history with our single malts and the gates are open to everyone.”
