Billy Walker at the GlenAllachie Launch
(SINGAPORE, November 21, 2024) The GlenAllachie, the renowned independent Scotch whisky brand, is stepping into a new era, revealing a reimagined logo, packaging, and a new slogan for its multi-award-winning single malt range.
At the helm of The GlenAllachie is whisky veteran of 52 years, Billy Walker, who took ownership of the distillery in 2017. Walker, revered for his masterful cask selection and exceptional taste intuition for whisky, has injected his decades of expertise into the brand. Under his stewardship, the distillery has undergone a remarkable transformation, utilising whiskies in the 16-warehouse site and evolving them into a boutique force of the whisky world.
To announce this new era, and to launch its celebratory limited-edition single malt to mark Lunar New Year 2025: The Year of the Snake Edition, an 11-Year-Old Pedro Ximénez, Oloroso & Virgin Oak Cask Finish, a media event was held in the Backdrop and the launch party was Yang Gallery, both at voco Orchard. Backdrop was a sneaky perfect place for the media event as it is based on a Chicago Speakeasy. One needed a bar code to enter the first room, which was a little creepy, but then you passed into the backroom where the party was going on.
Billy spoke to the media and answered questions from them. It was learned that the rebranding includes a distinctive new typography with hand-crafted letterforms, evoking the brand’s premium stature. The slanted design takes cues from the unique silhouette of the distillery’s gable end, symbolising both its physical form and The GlenAllachie’s upward journey. Natural hues dominate the refreshed look, with a carefully chosen dual-tone palette that represents the harmonious duality of logic meeting instinct – a fitting nod to Walker’s own whisky-making philosophy.
Colette Savage, Marketing Director at The GlenAllachie shares, “The updated look sets out to modernise, premiumise and refine the brand, bringing the packaging in line with the quality inside the bottle. A key stipulation of the project was to ensure we performed a rejuvenation rather than an overhaul. Indeed, the iconic bottle and core range colours are integral to The GlenAllachie’s brand identity and have been retained. The visual progression will aid in shaping the future of the brand as a heavy hitter in the Speyside single malt space.”
The Oldest Expression to Date
Marking this new era in Singapore is the release of The GlenAllachie’s oldest expression to date: the 35-year-old. This exceptional whisky represents the first new addition to the core range since 2018. A showcase of The GlenAllachie’s dedication to small-batch craft whisky, the 35-year-old is the result of Walker’s meticulous selection of six casks holding whisky dating back to the summer of 1989.
Encased in a lavish oak presentation box, this vintage single malt has been matured in three Pedro Ximénez casks, one Oloroso, and two virgin oak barrels. The whisky is said to deliver a “luscious harmony of rich mocha, tropical pineapple, warming spices, and indulgent treacle tart.”
Handmade in the UK, the opulent packaging features intricate carvings on the base, a plush moleskin-coloured interior, and a solid brass angle, with a plaque celebrating the cask selection.
A removable oak plinth cradles the decanter, while an accompanying booklet, printed on FSC-certified paper made from spent malt, contains Walker’s handwritten notes on the creation of this release.
The 35-year-old is housed in an elegant wide-shouldered decanter that echoes GlenAllachie’s iconic bottle, with gold-printed product details and a premium wooden stopper adorned with gold foiling and the brand’s tagline: ‘Whisky in Good Hands’, GlenAllachie believes the whisky speaks entirely for itself.
During its UK launch earlier this year, Billy Walker commented: “The 35-year-old is a testament to The GlenAllachie’s dedication, patience and relentless pursuit of perfection. Unifying the six spectacular casks has created the perfect equilibrium between the sweet influence of Pedro Ximénez, the nutty contribution of Oloroso, and the spiciness of the virgin oak. The amalgamation entails a truly spectacular single malt with opulent notes of spiced caramel, rich espresso, tropical fruits and dark chocolate truffles. If you’re lucky enough to get your hands on a bottle, it’s a whisky to be treasured.”
One question that was asked and answered was “Is there a 50 year old in the works.” Mr Walker confirmed that there is.
Tasting Notes:
ABV: 48% non-chill filtered
Colour: Intense auburn with no added colour
Nose: Mocha, cinnamon, heather honey and pineapple, with hints of raisins, pomegranate and eucalyptus.
Taste: Dark chocolate, mocha, raisins and dried fruit, fusing with heather honey, treacle and pineapple, with hints of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.
The GlenAllachie’s newly revamped Core Collection, featuring the 10-, 12-, 15-, and 18-year-old expressions, alongside the flagship 35-year-old, will be available in November through AsiaEuro’s online store for island-wide delivery, as well as select bars and restaurants across