"Hidden gems" is a phrase that needs to be killed by fire and yet, its very apropos for The GlenAllachie. Founded in 1967, the Speyside distillery found renewed vigour when it was bought over by whisky virtuoso Billy Walker, alongside partners Trisha Savage and Graham Stevenson. Nine months after acquisition, The GlenAllachie's core range of single malts was released. This was the start of a transformative era that would culminate in the recent unveiling of a refreshed visual identity and the oldest expression to date for the distillery: a 35-year-old single malt scotch whisky.

Far older than the 35-year-old is Billy Walker, a towering figure in the whisky world, who brings over five decades of expertise to The GlenAllachie. Walker’s career includes lauded tenures at BenRiach, GlenDronach, and Glenglassaugh, where his innovative approach redefined these brands. His contributions to the industry netted him an induction into Whisky Magazine’s Hall of Fame in 2021. With The GlenAllachie under Walker's keen stewardship, the single malt brand has flourished, even earning accolades like the World's Best Single Malt at the 2021 World Whiskies Awards.

The GlenAllachie's tagline is "Whisky in Good Hands", and how. Key innovations at the distillery include overhauling production speeds, optimising cask management, and lengthening the fermentation period to 160 hours. With these adjustments, you get a rich, ester-forward distillate brimming with depth and complexity. Aside from The GlenAllachie's core range, there's also Meikle Tòir in the brand's portfolio.

But enough of woolgathering, let's return to the 35-year-old single malt: crafted from six carefully selected casks like the Pedro Ximénez, Oloroso, and virgin oak. On the palate, you get a symphonic mix of mocha, tropical fruit, and warming spice. Presented in an opulent oak box with sustainable accents, the case echoes the meticulous care behind the whisky contents.

The GlenAllachie’s rebranded core range—10-, 12-, 15-, and 18-year-old expressions—and the 35-year-old is available through Asiaeuro’s platforms and select venues in Singapore.