Craigellachie 13 Year

EXPLORATION: Apple nips the nose, with afterthoughts of vanilla, cherry, and oak. The apple remains apparent on arrival, but quickly bursts into a dry and spicy bouquet for the middle. The finish smooths out the experience with the return of vanilla and cherry. EXHORTATION: This might not be this seeker’s cup of scotch, but it was enjoyable nonetheless. At an admirable 46% and a fair price point, this might be YOUR cup if you like your whiskys apple-y and dry. POSTSCRIPT: One more thing: when drinking out of doors, keep an eye out for gnats & fruit flies—lest you need to pick the thirsty creatures out of your dram (like I did). Who can blame them?

Monstrous highs and lows today - needed to escape and try something new. Tugged foil, popped cork, long pour, and settled in. A solid orangey-gold. May be a touch of colorant. Semi-sweet aspartame, cinnamon, clementine peel, pineapple, and copper on the nose. Vanilla. Gentle floral notes. Quite sniffable. The palate delivers on the promise of the nose. Tart lemon, vanilla, copper, a pleasant sour edge. Creamy. Tangy. Modestly metallic. Interwebs didn't offer much insight, but Spidey Sense shouts of at least a modest component of Oloroso casks. Proof is nice - enough to linger on the tongue but not challenging. Didn't know until a little reading that some version of this distillate likely forms the backbone of Dewar's. Full disclosure #1: I am unapologetic in my relative distaste for Dewar's White Label. I will drink it, and find a handful of redeemable qualities, but may temporarily resent the offerer for their poor taste. Full disclosure #2: This is nearly EVERYTHING good that one can find in Dewar's, and almost NONE of the bad. I will resolutely proclaim the unassailable judgment, kindness, and valor of the offerer. Honestly, pulling on comparables, I feel like this is a skillful balancing act somewhere between Glenfarclas 12 and Springbank 10 - rich, funkadelic character with a heavy body, bold aspartame, dried fruit, proper ABV, and zesty spice. Unexpected, and unequivocally awesome if at a sale price. Half notch above 'farclas 12, and about on par with Springbank 10 (this night, at least - gasp!). Good stuff.

Quite good, a touch of vanilla. Some sweetness, a great value.

A usual Speyside nose but a refreshing and stingy burst on the palate. Good.

Fruity, easy, smooth, ando

Love this. I love the heavy texture in my mouth and the meaty aftertaste.

Good start and interesting finish just the right tartness to tax your saliva glands. Nice and fruity without being annoying sweet.