Tastes

I'm always comforted by the lovely notes on the nose of a true and proper Speyside whisky. There is something floral yet earthly in the scent. I may not be dreaming of sugar plum fairies, but there is certainly something there that evokes said imagery in my mind. This whisky invokes a kind of poison apple. I'm intrigued, but there is something I cannot trust. But in a good way. On the tongue that same sense lingers. I'm treated with a wonderful pleasure, but am still unable to put my guard down. There is something about this whisky that leads me to think this old, abandoned castle still has skeletons crawling. Though, further intrigued, I continue to explore these halls and wonder the source of the beauty I experience. I feel I may be doing this whisky wrongly because it is very good indeed and I don't want to discourage. Finding, or rather stumbling, my way through the complexities will always yield varied experiences. In short, Craigellachie 13 is a great whisky that all should try. Speyside-ness shines through, but I never thought I was drinking a Macallan or Aberlour. This stands out as unique and lovely with a extra edge of darkness. While I may prefer a Balvenie as a staple, I wouldn't dare question a wizard who drinks Craigellachie by the fireside. "Dark for dark business! There are many hours before the dawn." - The Hobbit Sláinte

I'm going to start off with simply, wow. This is only my second of the lovely Bruichladdich distillery and I definitely want to taste as many different varieties they make available. The first I had was the Rockside Farm 2007 release and it quickly became a must-have whisky for me. Naturally, as with all must-have whiskys, it was the only bottle I've been able to acquire and it quickly disappeared. Now, I don't see myself allowing this whisky to disappear from my shelf nearly as quickly because while "wow" there is also a bit of mystery here. Islay whiskys are known for their quality in general, but also for their peaty smoke characteristic and The Classic Laddie is unpeated so I'm quite out of my depths in terms of familiarity. This whisky is still very much an Islay in that is a challenge to get to grips with. It isn't trying to be your friend, but you goddamn respect it. There is that identifiable brutality of Islay, but that smoke is absent which gives me pause. I'm still very much a novice so I struggle with notes at the best of times, but this is a whole other ball game. I know that I enjoy it, but it is definitely not for everybody. This is the kind of whisky that if some good friend with good intentions poured me this back in the days of yore when keg-stands were common, I'd be turned off from whisky due to its unkind complexities. Thankfully, I'm a lot older and a little wiser and am spared the life of vodka and cranberry juice in favor of this magnificent, beautiful beast. That is not to say it is without fault, of course. The finish is a somewhat lacking and I do miss a bit of that smoke, though those are hardly criticisms. While I may prefer its Rockside Farm peated brother, this whisky is an absolute joy. Should I stumble upon it again, I'll be quite happy to pick it up and enjoy. Sláinte

I have to start by saying the nose is essentially non-bourbon-y which I think is a good thing. There is definitely that distinct bourbon characteristic, but its not so overpowering you don't know what to do with yourself. I would also say that the nose is a bit clean and not in the right ways. I'm not excited when I smell this dram and bourbon is such a cruel mistress I can't give it any leeway to exploit. The taste is obviously pleasant, but that's about as far as I'd go with it. There is some lingering vanilla in the finish, but on the tongue it simple tastes like a mild bourbon. I'm neither excited nor bored by this whisky. If someone poured me a dram I'd have no negative implications. However, this would not be anywhere near my bourbon of choice if we're talking desert island. Worth the money I paid, but not worth the recognition of the name. Sláinte

I have to admit that I am a bit of a novice when it comes to Islay whiskys. Its not that I don't have the experience, but rather, its difficult for me to find the notes outside of that peat-y smokey goodness. Many an Islay scotch has been sampled, but not to the extremity that allows me to discern between this Ardbeg 10 and a Peat Monster, for example. Therefore, I shall err to the side of caution and just tell you how I feel when drinking this whisky. I feel good. Not in a way that makes one believe I'm living my best life, but in a way that allows one to accept I've done the best I can with what I've got. When I smell this in my Glencairn I feel a connection to the earth. Not a connection that grounds me, but one that reminds me of Mother Nature and all her beauty and flaws. The taste brings me back to the woods of my youth where no sound was heard. I'm able to ponder for a brief moment and connect with myself outside this reality. All of this may make it sound like I think this whisky is amazing, but its not. This whisky is simply good. And there is nothing wrong with good. Many may argue other Islay scotches are worth their dollar more and I'm not in disagreement with them. I can only state plainly that if I were offered this whisky and no other I'd be quite grateful. There is nothing wrong with a good ol' Ardbeg 10.

On the nose this is deceptively "single pot still Irish" evoking the harmonies of apples, shortbread, and honey. But if one takes a moment to admire the nose one can experience a veritable bouquet of sensations that make this a whiskey worth experiencing. Its not out of this world... it is truly, properly, justly Irish. On the tongue is where it highlights and muddles. This is a truly Irish whiskey so the mouth will inevitably let down what the nose has built up. However, this whiskey does taste very good indeed. Even though its not what my nose led me to believe I'm still very much enjoying of the moment it hits my tongue. I'm neither bored nor disappointed, just simply cognizant. I'm put in the moment and my other thoughts and worries leave me when this whiskey swirls around my mouth. In closing, this is not a perfect whiskey. However, this is also not a whiskey that is difficult to enjoy. While the experience may not crest every peak it does a good job of reminding us what single pot still Irish whiskey is. I won't be itching to buy this again should the opportunity arise, but I certainly will be giving a thumbs up if a friend decides to pour us some. Irish whiskey tends to be narrow due to its nature and history and this Irish whiskey follows suit... but does it dram well. Sláinte