Billy Walker marks 50 years in whisky with new series

The GlenAllachie Distillers Company is launching a limited-edition series of single malts to mark its master distiller Billy Walker's 50th anniversary in the whisky industry. 

World-renowned whisky maker Billy Walker, a qualified chemist, worked with illustrious Scotch distillers including Deanston, Tobermory, Benriach and GlenDronach before taking over the GlenAllachie distillery in 2017 with two business partners.

In 2021, one of his whiskies - The GlenAllachie 10 Years Old Batch 4 - achieved the fiercely contested title of World's Best Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards. This accolade came the year after Walker was named Master Blender / Master Distiller of the Year at the Icons of Whisky awards, and in the same year that he was inducted into the prestigious Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame.

To commemorate his 50th anniversary in the whisky industry, The GlenAllachie Distillers Company has announced the launch of the Past, Present and Future series, comprising whiskies that represent key moments in Walker's career.

The first instalment, The GlenAllachie Billy Walker 50th Anniversary Past Edition, is a fully sherry-matured 16-year-old single malt. It is designed to represent Walker's early days in whisky, during which he supported the release of many heavily sherried expressions and helped to play a part in the style's development and subsequent popularity.

The Past Edition combines nine 2005 Spanish sherry butts personally selected by Walker, blended and bottled at cask strength of 57.1% ABV without colour or chill filtration.

Walker said: "I'm incredibly lucky to have been involved in the fascinating Scotch whisky industry for 50 long years. What a privilege it has been to have worked alongside some truly amazing people, and indeed to have been involved with some world-leading brands.

"The latest adventure is The GlenAllachie Distillery, and without question, we are so very fortunate to be steering this great distillery into the future, introducing its whisky to an ardent international audience."

Walker's business partner Trisha Savage added: "Working alongside Billy fir 35 years has been a total pleasure. I've never come across anyone with his level of drive, dedication and passion for Scotch whisky."

The GlenAllachie Billy Walker 50th Anniversary Past Edition is available to purchase through global specialist retailers, with a UK RSP of £225.

18 May 2022 - Bethany Whymark