Craigellachie 13 is the second release, and my favorite, of the Last Great Malts. The first being the Aberfeldy 12 that I reviewed, and enjoyed, yesterday. This murky little dram with the name like a monster straight out of Tolkien’s notebook magically captures both the light and dark aspects of Speyside.
Located at the confluence of the River Spey and the River Fiddich, the Craigellachie distillery is smack dab in the middle of Speyside territory and the Craigellachie village is a popular destination for whisky tourists. The infamous Craigellachie hotel sits on a rocky bluff overlooking that meeting of the two rivers and has served as both lodging and a gathering place for whisky enthusiasts since it’s opening.
However those enthusiast are rarely there for the little known Craigallechie distillery and are there for its neighbors The Macallan, Glenfiddich, Aberlour and Glen Grant. Though with how unique and delicious this Craigellachie 13 is, I hope that changes pretty soon.
Craigellachie 13 Info
Region: Speyside, Scotland
Distiller: Craigellachie
Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: ex-Bourbon
Age: 12 years
ABV: 46%
Release: The Last Great Malts – Dewars
Price: $55*
Craigellachie 13 Review
EYE
Golden straw
NOSE
Rich complex fruit; heavy with apples, pears and apricots combines with some honey, grassy malt and vanilla cream. Hints of cinnamon and a sugary sweetness lounge in the background until a splash of water is added and then they become more active along with notes of butterscotch and an almost swampy sulfuric earthiness. A multi-faceted and enjoyable aroma.
PALATE
That same rich and complex fruit delivers here as well, but this time it comes with a charred and woody companion. Glazed honey, and a slightly nutty character remind me of honey roasted nuts with notes of burnt toffee / brûlée, malt, smoke, vanilla and cinnamon playing supporting roles. A splash of water brings out a bit more of the wood, malt and earth.
FINISH
Long with big notes of fruit, woody char and vanilla that moves to malt, earth and apricots on it’s way out.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Excellent balance. I love the way the earthy and sweet notes play off of each other. A thick full body and velvety texture complete a very luscious picture.
OVERALL
Craigellachie is often described as having a meaty quality to it and after trying the Craigellachie 13 I’d have to agree with those folks. The thick tarry nose is a deep well of mouthwatering aromas that perfectly compliment the charred, woody and earthy fruit on the palate till it’s completely faded away on the finish.
The Craigellachie 13 is my first encounter with a Craigellachie OB and I have to say… I’m impressed. There’s just nothing not to like about this whisky and I found myself revisiting this bottle more and more after the review, which is the sign of a good whisky. Definitely recommended.
SCORE: 89/100
*Disclosure: This sample of Craigellachie 13 was graciously sent to me by the company for the purposes of this review. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
Craigellachie 13 Review - Score Breakdown
Summary
Craigellachie 13 is a dark and fruity malt that I find myself enjoying immensely.
Overall
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Nose - 89
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Palate - 89
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Finish - 89
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Balance, Body & Feel - 89
User Review
( votes)( reviews)
Better than ever
Just opened a new bottle of this and it’s better than ever. Whatever Craigellachie is doing, they’re doing it right. Hard to believe all this flavor is coming exclusively from ex-bourbon casks as I’m getting tons of rich, dark fruit notes. It could be really good sherry or maybe Port or even Madeira. Whatever they’re doing to achieve this flavor, it’s exceptional! So many distillers are cutting corners these days, but not this one!
That depth comes from the worm tubs adding more copper contact and meatiness to it. It’s one of my off-the-shelf faves as well Paul. Cheers!
a second look
Hi Josh. Wondering if you have tried this whisky lately. I bought a bottle around the time you posted this review in 2014 and found it to be a bit too sulfurous for my taste. However, I’ve bought a couple of bottles in the past year and they both seem to be much easier to enjoy – there’s still a very faint sulfur note, but it actually seems to enhance the flavor in a “savory” direction. I’m wondering if my tastes have change or if Craigellechie has toned down the sulfur component a bit. Would be interested to get your opinion about this.
Hey Paul,
Funny you should ask, I opened a new bottle of it just 2 weeks ago. I didn’t get a ton of sulfur in the first one, hints to be sure, but in this one I’m getting more malty sweetness. There are definitely going to be some variations as batches roll out, but this one is a bit lighter, it sweeter than the first run. I think they may have had some older sherry casks in that first big push.
Hi Josh, thank you so much for this review. It convinced me to buy a bottle and am loving it. They had it on sale here and was able to get a couple of bottles for $47 each. What a steal!
That’s awesome, and congrats on the steal. I’d buy it at that price all day long! Cheers John!
I just heard that Craigellachie 31 was voted best single malt in the world at the London tastings. I could never afford a bottle of that age. If its reminiscent at all of the signature 13 expression… WOW. This is different. It greeted my taste buds like a Pictish army building to a full gallop on the way to the shore to face down a fleet of Norse invaders hurling flaming balls of tar soaked peat. Like dragons breath! amazing. And I bought this without knowing anything about it except that it was claimed to be “Anything but smooth!” I was seriously contemplating putting a warning reminder on the bottle for myself to not drink on an empty stomach. I was tasting charcoal and earth a day later. Brilliant!
Thanks for sharing Patrick. I was lucky enough to try some of the Criagellachie 31 recently and it… is… stunning. It’s everything that’s great about this kicked up by a factor of 10!
Cheers!
Is there e150a in the 13?
I don’t know, but I wouldn’t rule it out.