The GlenAllachie returns to Australia after two-year hiatus
One of Scotland’s most celebrated independent distilleries is returning to Australian shores for the first time in two years thanks to a new national distribution deal with The Whisky List.
"Over the years, we’ve continued to build The GlenAllachie and Meikle Toir with a clear focus on quality, character and innovation, and we now have a dynamic range of whiskies that gives us a fantastic platform for growth in Australia"
Led by Master Distiller Billy Walker, The GlenAllachie has earned a strong reputation for its rich, flavour-forward single malts, extensive use of high-quality sherry casks, and commitment to bottling at a minimum of 46% ABV, natural colour and without chill filtration.
The Australian relaunch marks the beginning of a new era for the brand in Australia, starting with the first shipment arriving in time for the Christmas period in late October.
The initial Australian range being brought in by The Whisky List includes:
- The GlenAllachie 12 Year Old: ABV: 46% | RRP: $129
- The GlenAllachie 15 Year Old: ABV: 46% RRP $175
- The GlenAllachie 18 Year Old: ABV 46% | RRP $265
- The GlenAllachie 10 Year Old Cask Strength: ABV 59.8% | RRP $179
- The GlenAllachie 11 Year Old Palo Cortado: ABV 48% | RRP $155
- The GlenAllachie 1990 35 Year Old: ABV 50.2% | RRP $2,499
The distribution partnership will also include Meikle Tòir, the distillery’s peated single malt range that combines rich peat smoke with its signature approach to cask maturation, with the first releases expected to become available in the coming weeks.
The first Australian shipment will span The GlenAllachie's core age-stated range alongside cask strength, limited-edition and ultra-aged releases
Billy Walker said now is the right time to relaunch in Australia as it looks towards its 10th anniversary since being purchased and converted into a single malt distillery in 2017.
“We believe this is the right time, with the right range and the right ambition, to make a strong return to Australia,” Billy Walker said. “Having the opportunity to reintroduce our whiskies to Australian whisky lovers feels particularly special and we look ahead to our 10th anniversary in 2027.
"It’s a significant milestone for us, and we’re excited to celebrate it by bringing The GlenAllachie back to the market and building new relationships with whisky enthusiasts across the country.”
Oliver Maruda, co-founder of The Whisky List, echoed a similar sentiment, noting strong demand for the distillery over the past two years.
"Aussies absolutely love a sherry cask whisky; it's easily one of the most popular styles here and demand for it continues to grow,” he said, also adding rising demand for higher ABV, natural colour and non-chill filtration in Australia.
Maruda continued: “But what really sets The GlenAllachie apart is Billy Walker. We consider Billy a master of wood, and he's obsessed with maturing his whiskies in exceptional casks, particularly PX, Oloroso and Palo Cortado sherry casks.”
The GlenAllachie Distillery in Speyside, Scotland, entered a new era in 2017 after being purchased by Billy Walker
Billy Walker purchased The GlenAllachie Distillery in 2017, beginning a new era of independent ownership for a distillery that had spent most of its prior 50 years producing whisky for the Scotch blending industry.
Walker's focus on wood management has been at the centre of this transformation. Drawing on more than 50 years of experience, Walker continues to personally oversee The GlenAllachie’s extensive inventory of casks, with maturation across Pedro Ximénez, Oloroso and Palo Cortado sherry, virgin oak, and an array of other specialist oak.
Every The GlenAllachie single malt is bottled at natural colour and without chill filtration, allowing the influence of the spirit and its maturation to speak for itself.
