Craigellachie 16 Year Old Connoisseurs Choice Gordon & MacPhail

Craigellachie SMWS 44.58 - A bittersweet sensation

Craigellachie is a distillery I don't know much about, but I've always liked their malts (though admittedly, I've only really tasted the SMWS bottlings, like this one). Currently owned by Bacardi, it was built in 1891 by Peter Mackie, the whisky baron behind White Horse, in partnership with Alexander Edward. Both this, and of course Lagavulin,...

Score 85/100

Craigellachie 13 Year Old 1998 A.D. Rattray

Another young Craigellachie bottled by A.D. Rattray. This one matured on a bourbon cask. Again at cask strength, of course. So far young Craigellachie has been a let-down for me. I hope this one does better. Aha! Good nose! Almonds, coconut, a floral and mineral side. Touch of woodsmoke. This is a very pleasant surprise. Honey, mirabelles, grapes...

Score 84/100

Craigellachie 13 Year Old

Craigellachie is a lesser known malt that was re-launched by the owners in the Last Great Malts series. Dewar’s & Sons presented their new line-up of this Speysider in 2014 with a 13, 17, 19 (travel retail), 23 and even 31 Year Old. Let me try the entry level malt of 13 years which matured on American oak. The nose keeps you waiting for a...

Score 79/100

Craigellachie 20 Year Old 1991 A.D. Rattray

For the third Craigellachie, let me seek out A.D. Rattray (formerly known as Dewar Rattray). This one matured for 20 years on a first fill bourbon cask and was bottled at very high strength. Where is my water? Hmm, this nose is very good. Very mineraly and floral. I get both wet rocks and a bouquet of wild flowers and heather. Then a lot of fruit...

Score 85/100