Prominent whisky maker Billy Walker marks astonishing milestone with second release in commemorative Past, Present & Future Series.

The GlenAllachie Distillery today announces the penultimate bottling in The Past, Present & Future Series as an ultra-rare Japanese cask finished single malt Scotch whisky: The GlenAllachie Billy Walker 50th Anniversary Present Edition 16-year-old Mizunara Virgin Oak Cask Finish. 

Launched in May, the landmark range honours foremost whisky master Billy Walker’s remarkable half-century-long career in the Scotch whisky industry, with each release symbolising a key milestone for the veteran blender. 

The Present Edition is revealed today as a Mizunara Virgin Oak Cask Finish (UK RRSP £280), Walker’s first-ever use of the highly unusual oak species, representing the pioneering wood policy he is currently implementing at The GlenAllachie Distillery. 

With a particular focus on experimenting with interesting and rare casks from small-scale, premium producers, the Speyside distillery’s annual cask budget for 2022 stands at an eye-watering 2 million (US $2.6m).

The ground-breaking 16-year-old underwent a lavish maturation journey beginning in rich Pedro Ximènez and Oloroso sherry wood before being transferred into incredibly uncommon Mizunara virgin oak casks with a medium level of toasting and charring.

Mizunara is a very scarce species of Japanese oak rarely utilized in the whisky sphere due to its expense and the multitude of challenges it poses to production.

Its tendency to twist as it grows creates issues for stave production, and its porous nature – which on one hand is beneficial, allowing for greater interaction between whisky and wood – makes it much more inclined to leak during maturation, impacting the final outturn. Additionally, the trees must grow to be around 200 years old before being felled; twice the age of most oaks used for casks.

Following a luxurious two-step maturation journey, the consequential chestnut-hued single malt boasts indulgent notes of dark chocolate fondant, forest fruits, stem ginger and coconut shavings.

Due to the scarcity of Mizunara oak, the release is limited to just 2,900 bottles globally; each proudly presented at a high strength of 48% ABV, without added colouring or chill filtration.

Walker, who was inducted into Whisky Magazine’s prestigious Hall of Fame last year, has spearheaded The GlenAllachie Distillery since 2017. In that time, it has racked up enviable awards including the fiercely contested title of World’s Best Single Malt (World Whiskies Awards, 2021).

Commenting on his historic release, Walker said:

“As a master distiller, I’m regularly asked what proportion of the flavour profile of a whisky I attribute to the wood, to which I answer at least 70 per cent. As a chemist, I find supervising the flavour development of our whisky as it interfaces with interesting cask types truly fascinating. One thing I’ve absolutely learnt in the last 50 years is that there are no short cuts to achieving quality.

“I’m incredibly proud to release my first ever Mizunara virgin oak finished whisky; a cask type that has of course been on my radar to experiment with, not deterred by its undeniable challenges! I was confident that it would perfectly complement the bold nature of The GlenAllachie, and we’re delighted with the outcome. A very proud moment for a special personal milestone.”

The Present Edition joins the first release in the range, The Past Edition: 16-year-old 100% Sherry Matured Single Malt Scotch Whisky, released to great acclaim in May 2022.

The GlenAllachie Billy Walker 50th Anniversary Present Edition can be purchased through global specialist retailers, with a UK RRSP of £280.

About Billy Walker’s career

Graduating from the University of Glasgow in 1967 with a BSc Honours Degree in Chemistry, a youthful Billy Walker had the perfect foundations to enable him to build an intimate knowledge of the science behind whisky making and flavour development. 

Billy’s whisky journey began in 1972 at Hiram Walker & Sons – the company behind Ballantine’s at the time – where his role covered almost all aspects of production. After four years, he moved on to Inver House Distillers, taking up the position of Master Blender in 1976.

Fast-forward to 1982, Billy joined Burn Stewart Distillers where he went on to spend two decades, most notably playing a key part in the resurrection of Deanston and Tobermory Distilleries. When the company was sold, an entrepreneurial Billy was left to decipher his next move. 

The next twelve years saw him acquire BenRiach, GlenDronach and Glenglassaugh Distilleries, each of which were either mothballed, closed or under exposed to the market. It was at this point in his career where Billy truly made a name for himself within the industry, leading the brands’ rejuvenation and subsequent phenomenal success. 

Billy’s next move was to his current position as owner and master distiller at The GlenAllachie Distillers Company, encompassing The GlenAllachie single malt, White Heather blended Scotch and MacNair’s Boutique House of Spirits. 2021 saw Billy delve into a new spirits category for the first time, releasing a new experimental rum line under the MacNair’s label, Exploration Rum.

It’s from this incredible record of success that Billy has earnt widespread acclaim and recognition for being one of the most prominent whisky figures of his generation.

Tasting Notes

The GlenAllachie 50th Anniversary Present Edition – Mizunara Virgin Oak Finish 16-year-old (48% ABV)

• Colour: intense chestnut

• Nose: Bursting with dark chocolate, heather honey and grilled almonds, with hints of sandalwood, ginger, orange zest, caramelised pecans and coconut shavings

• Taste: Waves of heather honey, cinnamon and crystalised ginger, followed by demerara sugar, dried dark berries, hazelnuts and fig syrup

About The GlenAllachie

 One of Scotland’s few independently owned and managed distilleries, The GlenAllachie is led by industry veteran, Billy Walker, who boasts a 50-year tenure in whisky. With an emphasis on wood policy, The GlenAllachie’s cask budget for 2022 stands at an eye-watering 2m/$2.6m. With 16 on-site warehouses holding over 50,000 casks, we have complete control of the end-to-end maturation process. 

The GlenAllachie focusses on quality over quantity, which is why we chose to reduce our production capacity from 4m to 500,000 Litres of Alcohol and increase our fermentation period to 160 hours for an ester rich, fruity spirit.

We believe age and integrity matter, which is why all our whiskies carry an age statement, and are bottled at a minimum of 46% ABV, natural colour and non-chill filtered for maximum flavour experience.

Our other brands are MacNair’s Boutique House of Spirits – encompassing Lum ReekBlended Malt Scotch Whisky and Exploration Rum – and White Heather Blended Scotch Whisky. 

Provided by The GlenAllachie