pkingmartin
Craigellachie 17 Year
Single Malt — Speyside, Scotland
Reviewed
September 21, 2022 (edited October 10, 2023)
Continuing my exploration through some of the Craigellachie releases, I have a sample of their 17 year.
The nose starts with a mix of mango, charred pineapple, and freshly lit pipe tobacco then hay bales, vanilla cream brûlée, candied pecans and chocolate covered chewy caramels followed by sautéed apples, mandarin orange and watermelon hard candy that transitions to white pepper, cloves, leather and polished antique furniture with low ethanol burn.
The taste is a medium to full mouthfeel starting with creamy fruits of mango, charred pineapple and freshly lit pipe tobacco then toasted marshmallow, honeysuckle, rosemary and chocolate covered chewy caramels followed by sautéed apples, mandarin oranges and caramelized peaches that transitions to white pepper, cloves, leather and polished antique furniture with medium ethanol burn.
The finish is medium length with creamy tropical fruits, hay bales, freshly lit pipe tobacco, rosemary, leather and polished antique furniture.
Wow, those additional 4 years of aging have really polished out those sour citrus notes found on the 13 leaving creamy tropical fruits and caramelized orchard fruits along with polished antique furniture that the flavors are bolder and richer than the 13 year.
For me, this is far better than the 13 that carries a higher price of around $150+, but I think the refinement and bolder flavors really help justify its price.
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@Scott_E Thanks! I agree, so far everything I’ve tried from them has been great. The 23 is up next and will be my last one of this fun little exploration of their line.
@pkingmartin The Craigellachie line, in general, is all good. The 23 was great as well. Unfortunately I didn’t take notes on that one. Worth the money. Great stuff. Great distillery. Great review.