Resurgent Scotch single malt whisky brand The GlenAllachie unveils a limited-release Year of the Snake edition across Asia to celebrate the upcoming Lunar New Year.
You know a whisky brand has eyes on Asia when they dedicate exclusive releases on this region. And particularly when they drop something to commemorate a special occasion or holiday like, say, Chinese New Year.
Among the latest to do so? The GlenAllachie.
The GlenAllachie recently offered a sneak peek on a special limited edition release for the upcoming Lunar New Year when it officially launched its 35 Year Old expression in Singapore. The Glenallachie Year of the Snake Edition, created specially to commemorate the most important holiday on the Chinese calendar, comes in a stunning jade green box and bottle livery inflected with gold and red accents while depicting a hand-drawn regal serpent snaking around an oak cask.
Green, gold, and red for Chinese New Year? Obviously someone at the distillery has done their research on Chinese culture.
More importantly for whisky lovers, the liquid inside was matured in a selection of premium Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso Sherry casks from Spain, along with toasted and charred virgin oak barrels to offer additional layers of complexity.
We’re told distillery owner and master blender Billy Walker meticulously monitored the whisky himself throughout the maturation process at the distillery’s 16 on-site warehouses in Speyside, to ensure the spirit achieved a harmonious balance between The GlenAllachie’s distinctive character and the influence of the casks. The resulting expression, according to The GlenAllachie, is described as offering “indulgent notes of pear and ginger cake, orange peel, and butterscotch sauce”.
Not exactly the kind of Chinese New Year flavours we’d expect, but with ginger and orange, it’s close enough.
“The team and I are thrilled to unveil this very special bottling for Lunar New Year. Having travelled to numerous Asian countries this year, I’ve witnessed firsthand the demand and appreciation for Scotch whisky in the region and was fortunate to meet many passionate GlenAllachie fans,” Walker shared.
“After much planning and preparation, the expression we’ve devised, in my view, is worthy of a toast to the momentous occasion. We wish our Asian friends all the best for a very healthy and prosperous new year,” he added.
The GlenAllachie first entered the Singapore and Malaysia back in 2019 with its exclusive distributor AsiaEuro Wines & Spirits, and last year launched its peated whisky range, Meikle Tòir, in these markets.
The GlenAllachie Year of the Snake Edition is available from AsiaEuro Wines & Spirits in Singapore and Malaysia at the recommended retail price of S$168 and MYR558 respectively.
Official Tasting Notes – The GlenAllachie 11 Year Old Year of the Snake Edition (48% ABV)
Colour Polished mahogany.
Nose Orange peel, rich chocolate and caramelised ginger, with bursts of honeysuckle, buttercream and brandied dark cherries.
Palate Butterscotch, grilled honeycomb and Brandy snaps, followed by blood orange,
poached pears and cinnamon butter, with crystalised ginger and chocolate gâteau.
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