Nice one John, Craigellachie 13 is, as far as I remember, the most complex dram in a beginner's whisky. I went thru every integrity 10, 13 and 12 year old I could get my hands on, Craig13 and KK12 are the ones I have multiple backup bottles. Plus a couple of old lable Arran 10. Haven't actually tasted the 13 in a few years. I poured a 6 year rum cask finished Indie tonight and just bought an 11 year old indie matured in a refill sherry Butt. I figure 11 years and only 53.4% it won't be a sherry bomb. I'm totally with you on the Bourbon maturation but the market is full of wine casks and this bottle was half of what you paid for the exceptional cask. I'm looking in DC websites not UK. I'm at a point where I would love to spend $250 or more on a single bottle but I know I'm going to be disappointed. It's just whisky and I already have more than enough average $100 bottles to last 2 lifetimes. I travel to England once in a while and I always imagine what I might bring home. I don't think the Exceptional Cask at only 13 years for over £100 would be my first choice. I did buy the 17 at Heathrow for £77. I can't stand myself sometimes because what I really want to try is the Glenfarclas 15, more sherry. Even Ardnamurchin, id want a CS that was a vatting of bourbon and sherry.
Thanks Jack… like you I have a lifetime supply so trying hard to focus on the must try’s but boy sooooo many distractions but watching my wallet helps keep things in perspective. I too would love to try the Glenfarclas 15. Cheers 🥃
Great comparison John, it's good to know the key differences. It sounds like the price difference is not justified, especially when the standard 13 is just so good! Cheers!
It is a reassuring finding to hear you give the thumbs up to the lower priced option. Perhaps the pricing of the exceptional cask is targeted at the investor/collector who may not want to drink the whisky!
