A Prestigious Win for an Affordable Scotch
The 2025 World Whiskies Awards have officially recognized The GlenAllachie Speyside Single Malt 12-Year-Old as the World’s Best Single Malt Whisky. This distinction, awarded by one of the most esteemed whisky competitions, highlights not only the quality of GlenAllachie’s craftsmanship but also the affordability of their product.
The World Whiskies Awards, founded in 2007, conducts a rigorous multi-stage evaluation process in which industry experts assess each whisky’s appearance, aroma, taste, balance, finish, and complexity. The competition brings together the finest whiskies from across the globe, making it a highly competitive event. This year, The GlenAllachie 12-Year-Old surpassed 29 other top-tier single malts, including five renowned Scotch whiskies, to secure the coveted title. At just $67 per bottle, it offers an exceptional whisky experience without the premium price tag.
A Distillery Revived by a Whisky Legend
The GlenAllachie distillery, located in Aberlour, Scotland, was established in 1967 at the base of Ben Rinnes mountain. Despite its promising start, the distillery closed in 1985 before being acquired by Pernod Ricard/Campbell Distillers, where it was primarily used to produce whisky for blended Scotch brands like Chivas Regal. The turning point for GlenAllachie came in 2017 when renowned Master Distiller Billy Walker, known for revitalizing BenRiach, Glendronach, and Glenglassaugh, purchased the distillery and transformed it into an independent brand focused on crafting exceptional single malts.
Under Walker’s leadership, GlenAllachie launched its first range of single malts in 2018, quickly gaining a strong following. The brand made its mark on the international stage in 2021 when its 10-Year-Old Cask Strength won the World’s Best Single Malt title at the World Whiskies Awards. That same year, Walker was inducted into Whisky Magazine’s Hall of Fame, cementing the distillery’s reputation as a leader in the industry. With the 12-Year-Old expression now earning the top honor, GlenAllachie continues its streak of global recognition.
An Award-Winning Whisky with a Distinctive Flavor Profile
The GlenAllachie Speyside Single Malt 12-Year-Old is crafted using malted barley sourced from the Moray Firth coast and milled in the distillery’s original 1967 Porteus mill. The whisky undergoes a traditional double distillation process before aging for twelve years in carefully selected casks within Speyside’s naturally fluctuating climate.
The result is a refined, unpeated single malt with a rich and complex flavor profile. Judges from the World Whiskies Awards described it as having a nose filled with sultanas, flapjacks, and milk chocolate, with hints of acetone. The palate reveals dried apple, gourmet chutney, orange zest, nutmeg, and cinnamon, complemented by vanilla custard. The finish is medium-long, slightly warm, and pleasantly oily.
For whisky enthusiasts eager to experience this award-winning dram, The GlenAllachie 12-Year-Old is available at select liquor stores for $67—a remarkable price for a world-class whisky. This recognition reinforces that outstanding quality and affordability can indeed go hand in hand in the world of fine Scotch whisky. Slàinte Mhath!
