Review #666 - GlenAllachie Masters of Wood - 17 Year Mizunara & Oloroso Sherry Finish
This is the first release in a new series from the GlenAllachie distillery: the Masters of Wood collection. This is actually a sub-series of their larger Wood Collection, which includes many bottles: the Sinteis Series (combining virgin oak and sherry casks), the Sherry Series (younger whiskies finished in different types of sherry), the Wine Cask Finishes series (other wine cask finished, not including sherry), and also some regional exclusives, especially for the UK. The Masters of Wood sub-series is the most premium of these collections.
This GlenAllachie single malt comes with a substantial age statement of 17 years. The initial casks used for maturation aren't disclosed, but this distillate came from well before Billy Walker took over the distillery; we're guessing there's a decent likelihood that this whisky originally aged in old bourbon casks, at least in some part. The finishing casks are the focus, though, and it's a unique combination: Mizunara oak and Oloroso sherry.
Oloroso sherry casks are no stranger to GlenAllachie - potentially the bulk of their whiskies have at least some influence from these casks these days. The addition of the Japanese Mizunara is an unusual touch, though; these casks are quite expensive as the wood is very rare, and these casks are leakier than other types, which makes them difficult to work with. Mizunara typically adds flavors like sandalwood, incense, and coconut to a whisky. The brand claims that this combination of casks creates a more 'indulgent' whisky - let's find out if that's the case.
This single malt is bottled at a middling strength of 50% ABV, and it comes with a substantial price tag: over $300, which increases with taxes and shipping costs.
GlenAllachie Masters of Wood - 17 Year Mizunara & Oloroso Sherry Finish
Scotland/Speyside - Single Malt
Price: USD 311 (2025)
Age Statement: 17 Years
Strength: 50% ABV
Cask Makeup: Finished in Mizunara oak, Oloroso sherry hogsheads, and Oloroso sherry puncheons
Details: Not chill filtered, no color added
Tasting Methodology: Reviewed 3 times over 10 monthsfrom a sample (bottle split). Tasted in a nosing glass each time, rested 15+ minutes
Nose: Very rich and decadent: musty leather, chocolate-covered cherry, plenty of malt, coffee cake. There are lots of dessert notes, and cinnamon, drying oak, and salt build over time. Sawdust, a hint of sandalwood, and caramel are accent notes; individual tasting sessions brought dark fruits like raisin, fig, and cherry cordial.
Palate: Lots of coffee and chocolate, as well as a decent amount of wood spice - that 17 year age statement shows. Spicy Mexican chocolate with chilies, malty grain, and tiramisu; red fruits like funky strawberry and dark, medicinal cherry come, too. Espresso and cocoa are accents; the mouthfeel is medium-thick.
Finish: Again, there's a lot of chocolate and coffee, which is accented by cinnamon, cranberries, and cherries. There's a nice mixture of sweetness and acidity; nutmeg and a fizzy sensation linger in the aftertaste. This finish is medium-long.
Final Note: Well, GlenAllachie nailed it when they called this an 'indulgent' whisky - it's very rich and full of dessert notes. There are hints of the delicate flavors that Mizunara oak brings, but for the most part, this single malt is a flavor bomb, full of chocolate notes and coffee-based flavors. Red fruit is also a strong theme, especially cherry; there are lots of layers here, and each tasting session brought some new nuance. This is a great whisky, a real treat.
Value, on the other hand, is not very good. Yes, it's a great whisky, but well over $300 for a 17 year old single malt that isn't bottled at cask strength? We get that the casks used here are expensive, but this price is pushing the boundaries a bit too far.
Our Average Rating: 8.5 / 10
In the current whisky landscape of increasing prices and variable quality, we've added a value rating to our reviews that relates to the score and the available pricing of each whisky. This roughly equates to a 0-10 scale; no reviews so far have exceeded a score of 10, although it is technically possible for the formula to produce a value rating higher than 10 with a high enough score and low enough price.
Value Rating: 4.97
About Us: We're a husband and wife review team living in the Midwest United States. Generally, our reviews and tasting notes will be a compilation of both of our experiences with a whisky over several tasting sessions.
Check out our other GlenAllachie reviews:
Review #525 - GlenAllachie 25 Year
