Scott_E
Craigellachie 51 Year
Single Malt — Speyside, Scotland
Reviewed
May 9, 2019 (edited December 31, 2022)
So, I was a lucky winner to sample this rare treat of a scotch. Furthermore I had the privilege of sharing this experience with a guest which was @PBMichiganWolverine. It was a great pleasure to finally meet you after five or so years of just corresponding through email and Distiller.
Some background, as we learned from the brand ambassador. This particular scotch was distilled and barreled on 12/22/1962. This, at the time, was all produced on site: Malting, distilling, etc. There were only two stills in operation. The barrel was left sitting for 51 years, more so out of experimentation than anything else. Most, if not all, the was used for blends, mainly Old Smuggler (which no longer uses Craigellachie). The whisky, 51 years later, was poured into a glass container to prevent any further angel share loss. This was done mainly out of necessity as the ABV was at 40.8% and with a loss of 2% per year in the Spey region, would had meant reclassification. Anything below 40% cannot be sold as scotch. The distillate was poured into a refilled bourbon hogshead casks. This one and only cask was finally unleashed to a lucky few to experience. The sample provided to me (us) was from bottles 6 and 7 of only 51 bottles produced.
Light in color light amber (what I could determine is the dim setting)
The nose was sweet and tropical fruity, mainly pineapple. A caramel sweetness always hovering and surrounding. A musty note ever present which provided a quality of maturity. As Pranay stated, like musty old library books.
That musty, earthy quality embodies itself of the palate. Like damp hay in an old Northeastern barn. Not unpleasant by any means. Lemon polish or lemon oil all within a leather rich, meaty, peppery body. Very well balanced and surprisingly quite lively for an old man.
There is a tingly finish of cinnamon and ginger which ultimately gives was to and oaky, woody dryness that seems to last forever. I think it’s still there.
A wonderful, mature whisky and a wonderful opportunity. I will probably never experience anything remotely close to this in age ever. A great thanks to Craigellachie by sharing this instead of retailing or auctioning. A great whisky. A lucky experience. Thanks @PBMichiganWolverine Glad I was able to share this opportunity with you. [Tasted: 5/9/19]
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@LeeEvolved it’s the now discontinued MoM 50 yr old that I got ages ago. The sales clerk whispered to me that it’s a Glenfarclas or Glen Grant
@PBMichiganWolverine - oh wow. I don’t know why I kept thinking that was a blended bottle? Single malt is even better.
@LeeEvolved no, no...that wasn’t a 50yr old blend. It was a 50 yr old single malt, a Speysider (probably Glenfarclas or Glen Grant) from Master of Malt
@Scott_E - it’s all good, my friend. I doubted that they would’ve let you sneak away any pours anyhow. I would’ve loved to have given it a try. I’ll just have to make do with the 50yo Speyside blend sample that @PBMichiganWolverine sent to me a few months back.
@Rick_M - well, it looks like golf season is on hiatus- which is a shame because the temps are perfect here right now and the pollen levels are dropping. By July 1, the humidity will be so high it’ll be miserable to be out there. I’m going to push my short game and putting practice into high gear (it could use some work, anyways) because I just can’t really grip the long irons and driver at all.
@LeeEvolved I am sorry about your hand. Hopefully it’s not too serious. I forgot a sample bottle as I was scurrying our the door to get you a taste. I realized on the train and reached out to @PBMichiganWolverine but he was already too far gone.
@LeeEvolved - I know you’ll manage the drams but what about golf???
@LeeEvolved ah gees. I hope you get better soon :-(
@LeeEvolved oh my god. That’s horrible! Broken? Okay so @Scott_E wanted to pour you some of the 51 yr into a vial. Of course I had no vial with me when we needed it the most.
@Scott_E - Epic pour, nice!
Very happy for the two of you, really cool that you got to experience something this exclusive
It’s awesome that I was able to give you guys a heads-up about the chance to try this amazing whisky. I’m glad I know someone that got to experience it. In what I can only assume is karma, I had the good fortune of having my hand slammed in a car door yesterday, which resulted in a broken finger. Seems fair. Cheers, guys.
Wow, what an awesome opportunity. Craigellachie is one of my favorite distilleries too.
@Soba45 it was a random lottery. Only 150 winners globally.
@Soba45 Entered an electronic chance for a tasting. Since Craigellachie was stopping in NYC, near me, I threw my hat in the ring and won.
Great opportunity :-). what prize draw was that?