From the heart of Speyside, Craigellachie Single Malt Scotch Whisky is a bold testament to traditional whisky-making. Renowned for its robust character, Craigellachie beautifully intertwines notes of tropical fruits, rich malt, and a distinctive meaty quality. The distillery's time-honored use of worm tubs imparts a unique sulfurous note, setting Craigellachie apart in the world of Scotch. With every sip, it offers a journey back in time, echoing the raw and untamed essence of old-world whisky craftsmanship.
Craigellachie 17 Year Old begins its life in a blend of ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry casks. After the initial maturation period, the whisky divides — half moving into first-fill Sherry casks, the other half into first-fill Bourbon casks. The result is a single malt of genuine complexity: the richness of sherry balanced against the vanilla and oak of bourbon, neither overpowering the other.
True to the distillery's uncompromising character, the 17 is bottled at 46% ABV with no chill filtration and no caramel colouring.
In the Craigellachie Cask Finishing Collection, one can find the Craigellachie 13 Year Old Bas-Armagnac Cask, a unique addition that pays homage to their traditional worm tubs. Casks from producers of oak-aged spirits who also employ worm tubs have been sourced to create this distinctive offering. The inaugural release in this collection showcases the award-winning 13-year-old Craigellachie Single Malt, artfully finished in Bas-Armagnac casks originating from the northernmost region of Gascony, France. This distinctive finishing process adds a roundness to the robust Craigellachie character. Initially, the whisky matures in ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry casks before undergoing a resting period of just over a year in Bas-Armagnac casks. Staying true to their commitment to quality, all Craigellachie expressions remain non-chill filtered, devoid of caramel colouring, and are bottled at a respectable 46% ABV.
Craigellachie offers a rare expression with pronounced biscuity sweetness and a standout pineapple note, distinguishing it from its 17-year-old sibling. This coveted bottle undergoes dual maturation: starting in mixed casks, then divided between first-fill sherry and bourbon casks. This process amplifies its signature character, epitomizing 'The Rock of Speyside'.
Tasting Note by Craigellachie:Intense aroma of pineapple chunks in syrup, spicy, rich and complex, fortified with an intriguing sulphury backbone. To the taste this 19 year old Craigellachie delivers a sweet biscuity base, with a hint of smoke.
The Craigellachie 37 Year Old Whisky, part of the limited edition Exceptional Cask Series with only 3012 bottles available, exemplifies outstanding quality and craftsmanship. Initially aged in refill casks, it undergoes a final maturation in first-fill ex-Bourbon casks. This finishing process enhances the distinctive Craigellachie distillery style, allowing its unique character to be fully expressed. This remarkable whisky was also honored with the title of Best Single Malt Scotch Over 25 Years Old at the IWC 2024.
Tasting Note by Craigellachie:The aroma opens with notes of pineapple tarte tatin and crème anglaise, balanced with soft cereals and notes of toasted banana bread. Faint whispers of fire embers emerge with the addition of water then fade to spicy vanilla and delicate oak-derived coconut. The palate is boldly complex with sweet acidity at first, mellowing to soft fruits and almonds with a long, indulgent finish.
