GLENALLACHIE SINTEIS FRENCH&OLO is a whisky distilled in 2014 and matured in virgin oak casks made of French oak and Oloroso sherry casks. The virgin oak casks were made from Limousin oak sourced from central France. It is prized for its wide grain structure, which promotes greater interaction between the maturing distillate and the wood. The oak wood was air-seasoned for 15 months before being made into casks, which were then filled with spirit. These casks lent the whisky notes of honey and orange peel with a delicate hint of spice and a subtle earthy aftertaste. The Oloroso sherry casks — Oloroso being the darkest type of dry sherry (owing to the fact that it matures without the yeast layer known as "flor") — gave the whisky notes of nuts and dried fruit. The whisky was bottled at 57.4%, in its natural colour and without chill filtration, which brings out the true character of the spirit. On the nose we find notes of orange peel, nutmeg and dried orchard fruit, with the addition of honeycomb, maraschino cherries, coffee and crystallised brown sugar. On the palate we detect heather honey, spiced orange and baked apple, followed by winter truffle, characterised by a nutty-buttery flavour, muscovado sugar and cinnamon, with hazelnuts and coffee on the finish. The Sinteis series is a new chapter in the GlenAllachie distillery's range. This collection superbly showcases the relationship between virgin oak casks and traditional sherry casks, demonstrating their influence on the whisky's maturation process. The result is a harmonious blend of contrasts providing an unforgettable tasting experience. The word Sinteis (pronounced sin-tish) means "synthesis" in Gaelic, that is, the combining of ingredients or elements into a coherent whole. In this case it refers to two different casks, two different but complementary types of wood, which create a single harmonious, unrivalled composition.