The latest series by The Whisky Agency is nicknamed Moody Lions and consists of four bottlings: this Glenallachie 1973, a Tomatin 1976, Clynelish 1989 and Caol Ila 1992. We’ll go over them in the next few days. They’ve arrived in stores by now.

Glenallachie 39 yo 1973 (50,4%, The Whisky Agency ‘Moody Lions’ 2011, ex-bourbon cask, 218 btl.)

Nose: fresh and fruity, but I’m missing some of the more uncommon notes which I loved in the MoS version (like strawberry or muscat grapes). Here it’s more focused on pears and apples. It also shows more grassy / leafy notes (could be just the higher alcohol). Soft waxiness. Water brings out some floral notes. Mouth: slightly hot with rather more oak. Again some leafy notes to accompany the otherwise sweet fruit cake, apple and almond flavours. Fairly dry in the end with a noticeable bitterness. Finish: long and dry with vanilla, apples and malt.

Funny how two whiskies can be so closely related with virtually the same flavour descriptors, yet this one lacks part of the magic of the MoS version. Bringing it down to more or less the same strength doesn’t quite fix it. Don’t get me wrong though – this is still very good stuff. Around € 175.

Score: 88/100