GlenAllachie 12 Year Cask Strength - Exclusive Mid Atlantic PX Puncheon Cask

Background

Let’s start with the cask. I poured this bottle for a buddy recently who then asked, “Sooo, what exactly does PX Puncheon mean?”

While it’s likely terminology a good few reading a whiskey blow are comfortable with, I figured I’d start there for a quick bit of background before we hop into the review!

• PX: Short for Pedro Ximénez (from the grapes used), it is an exceptionally sweet style of sherry typically originating from Spain. Usually the grapes are dried in the sun to concentrate the sweetness… making this essentially raisin wine 🙂.

• Puncheon: The barrel used for the sherry and then subsequently this whiskey. A puncheon is typically made of Spanish Oak staves and holds about 132 US Gallons (as compared to a US Barrel, which holds about 50-53 gallons).

Ok now that we’ve done some book learnin’, let’s taste this!

GlenAllachie 12 Year Single Cask - Mid Atlantic PX Puncheon (12 Years, 113 Proof)

Nose: Flambeed cherries, Fig Newtons, honey and toffee.

Palate: Plums, golden raisins, cobbler. Some kind of cobbler. Sticky fruit.

Finish: Dark chocolate, mulled wine, black pepper.

7.5/10

Overall: The viscosity of this sip is really impressive. Rich and syrupy and packed with those fig/plum/raisin darker fruit notes. You expect this pour to be pretty sherry forward and it absolutely delivers.