Origin: Speyside (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 46%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Bourbon
Chillfiltered: No
Added coloring: No
Owner: Bacardi (Dewar and sons)
Average price: € 200.00
Official website: www.craigellachie.com
Vote: 91/100
We add another distillery to our ever-growing list, with a label that produces few of its own bottlings but is known for its quality.
A large proportion of Craigellachie’s (“rocky hill”) whisky production ends up in Dewar’s blends, and until 2014 the only single malt distributed directly was 14 year old, while today we have 13, 17 and this 23 year old, plus of course several independent bottlings.
The distillery was founded in 1891 by Peter Mackie (whose family owned Lagavulin) and Alexander Edward (former family owner of Benrinnes), who combined several blenders and merchants to found the Craigellachie Distillery Co. Limited, although various sources indicate that actual production did not begin until 7 years later.
By this time the whisky boom was over, but the distillery still managed to ensure its survival, and in 1916 Edward left the property entirely in the hands of Mackie, who merged it with White Horse Distillers.
In 1925 Craigellachie passed to the Distillery Company Limited, formed by John Walker & Co, James Buchanan & Co and John Dewar & Sons, which a couple of years later also acquired White Horse Distillers.
Production expanded in the mid-1960s, and finally, in 1998, the entire package containing Craigellachie, Aberfeldy, Royal Brackla, Aultmore and John Dewar and Sons was sold to Bacardi.
In 2017, this bottling won a gold medal at the International Wine & Spirit Competition.
Tasting notes
Gold in the glass.
The nose is very citrusy and gentle, with an enveloping scent of wax crayons. Honey and vanilla caress the nose, opening the door to more fruity tones of pineapple and mango, and sweet, almond nougat. Very elegant and harmonious.
The palate is slightly spicy, with cinnamon and a touch of pepper, increasing the fruity and tropical soul along with vanilla and honey wrapped in wax. The citrus fruits are always very bright and present, with a predominance of lemon, together with a herbaceous and balsamic touch in the background. Very mellow and rich, with a hint of rhubarb that creeps in among the aromas and enlivens the experience, keeping it varied and engaging.
The finish is long and balsamic, with wax, lemon, rhubarb and wood.
Layered and complex, elegant and almost austere, it requires time and concentration to grasp its facets and is certainly not suitable for distracted drinking in its proudly elitist nature.