a rather unusual astringent Speysider malt with lots of 'green' flavours. To comply with Google Adsense policy this video is an independent non-profit review and is not selling or linking to a site that sells the product being reviewed.
Ralfy, indeed, please review this gem of a whisky again. I just poured my first dram with a drop of water and let it rest for 15 minutes. This whisky is fabulous! I am really enjoying this one. 90 pointer for sure nowadays.
Man, we must have been tasting a completely different malt. The Craigellachie 13 I had (first time) was vanilla, buttery, rich. Not medicinal or herbal at all. It was a very rich non-peated Speyside. Thanks for the work! I've learned so much from you through the years.
Was your first taste from a newly-opened bottle, or one that had been open a while? And was it a fresh pour, or did it rest a while? That makes a big difference. I was not a fan after a few tries when I first opened the bottle,so I set the bottle in the back of my cabinet and forgot about it for a while. A year or so later, I tried it again, and it was buttery and rich as you describe, and much more mellow. I’m not sure if that was just me being more used to scotch, or if the whisky itself had changed, or both.
Ralfy, please review this again. It has been nearly five years since (including since first official release, I believe) and it is now getting more accolades. I almost dismissed it based on this review (bitterness and astringency) but then got a chance to taste it and was positively impressed. Second tasting (now from my own bottle) goes in the same direction still. Not a typical mild Speyside by any means, but very pleasing indeed.
There is a big difference between the original bottling from 2014 and the current version. This drum has become more, mainstream, approachable and less astringent IMO.
@@sfchrisrom There was no change in the production what so ever. In fact what Craigallchie needs is air. Open the bottle and you try for the first time you will be sometimes disappointed (based on your pallette or not) leave it open for a couple of days/weeks you will be happily surprised! Cheers
I found your comment that this bottle evolves to be spot on. I tried this for the first time last month, and when I first open the bottle to take a dram, I wasn’t terribly impressed. When I came back to it a month later, it was noticeably different and very approachable and appealing. I like the Glendronachs, all of the Islay’s and Highlands. Thanks for the review!
Well, this was my first Ralfy experience, and it coincides with my first experience with Craigellachie 13. It is good timing. Ralfy is a gem. So glad I found him. And the same is true for my introduction to Craigellachie 13. It is harsh upon recently opening the bottle. But it grows on me sip by sip. I feel fortunate to have found you both.
When I bought a litre of it in January 2017, the first impression it gave me was that it is a non-artificially sweetened Bushmills. Today, having tasted it again, I must commend that the sweetness do come when you give it time. You were spot on, Ralfy. You have an impeccable knowledge for whisky!
I have a bottle purchased in 2019. Fantastic. Super high quality, concentrated punchy flavors, earthy, fruity and substantial. Clouds up beautifully with a half tsp of distilled water. Just a really well done, high integrity, unique single malt. Probably will be a regular in my collection.
My second bottle in a year and it was another great experience. My palate definitely gets the green, herbal. The astringency is not as forward for me as in the review but definitely present. I appreciate the balance here of dry and barley sweetness. Complex for sure, but great quality and value IMHO. Integrity malt. I seem to recall Royal Lochnagar uses worm tubs, as does Edradour. More contact with copper does seem to add further dimension. I agree a re-review would be timely! Thanks Ralfy for all your magnificent, memorable, malt moment reviews!
I was at the distillery two weeks ago. They have no visiter's centre there or shop. I walked in past the stills exposed to the outside and found someone there. After a chat he suggested I drive 6 minutes up the road to the Cost Cutters store to buy the 13 Year Old. It cost me £35. I opened it last Friday night when I got home to Israel. I found it delightful upon first opening it. Very unusual whisky. I got apple cider vinegar, spent matches and gun powder. Luscious but slightly sour yellow fruits,. Oily honey dew melon. Really enjoyable and unique experience. There is a slight grilled buttered meaty haddock about it as well. Finish is lots of honey wood spices. I loved it!
Hey Ralfy. Been getting to know this one over the last month or so and growing to like it more and more. Several fellow Texas whisky fans swear by it now as well. Was rather stunned at the end of this review with the malt mark, but then noted the age of the review. I’m thinking they have greatly improved their casks. Could you re-review this one soon? Thanks from Mirage Fine Spirits in Texas!
I purchased this yesterday. I enjoy this style of malt too: dry, slightly bitter and not too sweet. It took me a few drams to see that this is very much its own malt.
Thanks Ralfy, great review. I had half a bottle of this 6 years ago and struggled to get my head around it, very challenging, and a different experience every time I'd take a dram. Not exactly pleasant! So I left half a bottle with an inert gas toping. Now I come back to the whisky today (6 years later) and I must say, it's a fantastic, complex, substantial dram. Amazing what the years has done, I think both to my palate and the whisky in the bottle. Patient pays off. Cheers !
Love your video! Awesome. I bought Craigellachie at a Celtic shop in Westin Missouri that has hundreds or thousands of bottles of Scotch and Irish whiskey and they recommended Craigellachie to me when I asked for a good Scotch to give to my Scotch drinking friend
Ralfy I absolutely love you mate , I’m Irish but have lived in Sydney for going on three decades now, I look forward to going to my local bottle shop (off license) to see a bottle I haven’t tried before and watching your review to see if it’s worth buying, I forward to your Malt mark and usually if it’s over 82 I buy it and watch the full video when I crack it open , many many thanks for your entertainment and expertise cheers and good luck 🍀
Mine must be different. Found on nose very raisiny, light floral, for me right down the middle speyside. Palette was way out to left field, very thin light sweetness(like sugar mixed with water), spicy, cigarette ash, funky finish but very spicy. Didn't like it much. But speyside isn't my thing. Couldn't possibly give it an 80. Maybe 80 for the fact that it's an integrity malt.
I know this is a five year old video, but thanks for posting it. Wonderful review. I purchased this whisky at the suggestion of a man in a forum and your review is spot on. At first I thought it was too phenolic and sulfuric, but I could see potential, and then as you say it "changes" and becomes something really quite nice and more complex than you'd guess from a first dram.
Hi Ralfy, awesome video and awesome whisky. I have tried this whisky during my vacation this summer in Scotland and I was really surprised about the brilliant quality. Really nice stuff. I was so disappointed, that the Macallan 12 Sherry is nearly not available anymore in Germany and the price is going through the roof. With the Craigellachie 13 I have found a new friend.
My first encounter with this whisky was not entirely positive. That was about 6 years ago, and at that time there was a fairly strong sulfur note in the bottle I purchased. It had some more pleasant notes too, but the sulfur tended to overpower everything else. However, the more recent bottlings are vastly improved and the sulfur is greatly toned down. As Ralfy describes here, there is a balance between bitter and sweet that is truly remarkable in Craigellachie 13. There is also a savory component (perhaps related to the toned-down but still present sulfur) that gives this whisky a depth and richness that few Scotch whiskys of a similar age can approach. This has become my favorite standard, non-peated whisky, and thankfully, it's still available at a fairly reasonable price. I would really like to see Ralfy re-review this one to see if he too notices an improvement - hint, hint! 😉
I agree. I love Ralfy and this 13 year old on first taste. It’s a unique single malt that challenges the palate a bit. I’m probably 60/40 Bourbon to Scotch so the 86 for the 13 Craig seems low based on Ralfys comments compared to say an 88 or maybe 89 for Evan Williams BIB Ralfy reviewed. I like EWBIB swell enough but besides authenticity, it’s not in the same tier the Craig13 imo.
The most satisfying whiskey encounter I have ever experienced in my life, occurred a few years ago. I invited a number of friends to a tasting and to bring their almost empty single malts, with just the last few ounces in the bottles. These (as I recall over 15 varieties) we combined into a large decanter, mixed well and let stand until the next month. When tasted we were all very surprised at this "blend"! It was actually very, very good, as said all of us! So we took it to a prestigious tasting event, held once per year under the auspices of some pretentious whiskey snobs! Let the fun begin! At the end of evening awarding of the 'marks' our "blend" had placed amongst the top three! After that experience I don't place too much emphasis on what any particular person has to say about any whiskey. I let my own pallet do the 'telling' along with my pocketbook!
Hi Ralfy, i now visit my parents, they have a fireplace in their home: my Balvenie tastes a lot better to me now. I feel like a member of the " magic malt moment" club here in the black forrest!
Dear Ralph an excellent review as always. I found this to be completely unique and for your pipe smoking audience, a perfect match with Samuel Gawith 1792 tobacco blend. Both are so unique, natural and genuine. They seem to be made for one another. I follow your channel with interest and pleasure . Many kind regards and happy Christmas 🎄 to you and your loved ones. Best regards, Sandro.
"If you like Old Pulteney, you will enjoy Craigellachie" - this observation is IMHO 100% on the money and, might I add, it works the other way around, too. Even though I enjoy various styles - the sweeter malts, the peated malts, the more astringent woody ones, I also enjoy this and Old Pulteney. I agree that they're a bit more demanding, not for a lazy malt moment. And I wouldn't sample anything else after it. But enjoyable it is. Got a 1L bottle from Duty Free around $50 US.
Thanks. Came back to this before listening to #648 since I had just opened my 13 yo bottle about a week ago. Added water to allow mist to form and followed along with you. Right on the mark. Also true that if you like Old Pulteney you will like this. Looking forward to working down the bottle. Now back to #648.
I know this was filmed yrs ago. I’ve just tasted this. I agree with everything you say! Very astute tasting notes. I found it opened up really well after resting it a while, with a little water -> hints of lovely apple pie! I found it suggesting me to add some to Bushmills 10, …..to help it out. Love your work! 🥃
My first Craig was a 14 y.o. Cadenhead's bottling in 2008. Also a bit fiery, especially when freshly opened. It also has grassy notes of a summer meadow with some flowers between... And it also is a malt you have to take your time with to access it. It's getting really good by the second dram. Certainly not everyone's darling, but it's got its own charm and I still haven't found the (nearly) the same taste in another whisky.
a friend recommended this speyside and I was impressed. The first glass was intense, but after it was better. Love the sort of "smokyness" eventhough it isn't a smoke whisky.
Hello Ralfy, and just a big thanks for you informative and enlightening videos. I came across your whiskey reviews just yesterday, and have watched a good ten (so far) and enjoy every one! I enjoy the hobby of pipes and cigars and of course a good glass of spirits. Cognac is my choice, but have recently bought a nice bottle of Jack Daniels single barrel and savor it. I'm guessing that here in New York you can get almost anything, and I will look into some of the grand whiskeys that you've mentioned. As my wonderful Grandmother always said to me, that 'life is short and death is long'. And so I thank you for your care and thoughts. My best, Wade
I did an experiment and created the sweetest whisky in history with no additives: 3 parts Arran 10, 1 part Lagavulin Distiller's Edition 2017. Virtually a fruitcake in a glass. Came to be because I had a dram of Arran 10 AFTER a dram of Lag DE in the same glass. Fabulous marriage of styles but unbelievably sweet.
This dram is completely different than in 2014. It's sweeter, complex, not harsh,bitter or "green" at all. One thing is still true: it tasts like Irish's, but that 's a good thing (if you are in to that).
When i started with Scotch i went immediately heavily into smoke and peat. when i tried my first Glenfiddich and Glenlivet i was not convinced. I went to a Whisky store to buy an Uigeadail and asked the guy to recomment me something based on that info and he gave me the 13yo Craigellachie to try. I really enjoyed it, but as you said it took time for my fresh bottle to open. The emptier the bottle got, the better it got. So it was the first unpeated whisky i really loved, which of course led me to liking lighter whiskys in the end. Need to get another bottle of it soon.
Wow what a review and learning experience! After watching/listening to 2 reviews of this dram so far, I'm so scared of trying it, due to what seems to be mysterious notes and character for a beginner, that I better try it to conquer the fear. Maybe even call myself a seasoned amateur after this one. I'll take my time with this, comparing it with some others I bought for the holiday season approaching, and give this one or the 17yo, which seems maybe to be more straight forward, an honest go. Thanks Ralfy for a great review and education on scotch!
Trying this in July 2022 and it's nothing like what he describes. None of the astringent or medicinal properties. Rather, easy access Speyside goodness. I'd say revisit this one ! Would love to watch it. Just fyi it's quite available in Thailand duty free where I picked it up. Tastes and has the mouthfeel of a 18 yo. This is a hidden gem ! 78usd or 2800thb is what I paid just fyi
Hi Ralfy. One of the first Indies we had here maybe 3 or 4yrs ago was a 15yo A D Rattray Craig. It was stunning... and a delicious intro to the Independents! I remember it was a 375ml bottle for $40USD ....I still have that kewl bottle it came in. As I remember it was rather Chivasly tasting with none of the green notes you are experiencing. just good old fashioned down to earth Scotch Whisky. I'd really like to get my hands on another...but not the OB which doesn't sound like it'd float my boat. cheers
Just bought the Loch Lomond 14 year old peated single malt, it's unchillfiltered and no color added, bottled at 46%. It's the first single malt scotch I have ever bought and even tasted.. Very interesting experience, slight citrus notes, hay, a little bit of tar and after about 15 minutes with a teaspoon of water I'm starting to sense a slight oyster/sea salt note as well.. It feels complex, but that might just be my novice taste buds talking. It's a very interesting experience though, I'm very fond of the peatiness as well.
got the craigellachie 19yr at a duty free. this is such a whisky of character! has a sort of charcoal thing going on, definitely full of flavor. very nice pour
Bought yesterday a bottle Craigellachie 13 after whatching this and other reviews. I love it already! Curious how it will develop in the coming months.
Ralfy, Just cracked open my first bottle and like it. Maybe a bit unusual finish with some anise (?). Like the mouth feel. Will definitely want to wait a few weeks and go again. Like you said, kinda like the OP 12 to me. Still not a peat fan but working on my first HP12. Maybe I gotta try a dram of the Laga 16. Enjoy your reviews start to finish. Cheers!
I remember you saying you are a motorcycle fan Ralfy, and I think that Malty Mavericks would be a great nod to an inspiring new motor rider. I believe your list is full, so I just mention it in passing.
Just opened a bottle, and to my surprise this was such a pleasant drink. I was ready dor the funk and those harsh notes bt what I got was a smooth buttery and pleasant experience. Might be that my taste has changed over the years.
Craigellachie 13 yrs really swept me off my feet. The first taste was a little bit over the edge, but that changed almost instantly with the second zip.
I don't know if it's my much, much younger palate(22 years old), but I actually enjoyed the first few glasses the most! It's still a fine dram even after a bit of time, but the few days after opening it was the sweet spot for my nose and palate.
Thank you for this review Ralfy! Quite honestly I didn't know Craigellachie bottled their own single malt in an official expression. I only know this distillery from independent bottlers. I have had many a Signatory and The Ultimate bottling. I mainly remember it to be very spirity, malty and quite bitter indeed. One 2002 Ultimate had this yeasty property, like beer. And tasted much like rum! Very interesting :)
Craigellachie 13yo is currently £12 off in Marks and Spencers (as of 16th August 2016). It is certainly a different whisky. It does change as you work your way down the bottle, improving.
Had this recommended when I was in Aberlour. I had it after tasting 3 heavily peated whiskies and I liked this - so I think you're absolutely right. Peat smoke would make this amazing.
Speaking of Irish single malts, going through Duty Free the other day (where I snagged a 1L bottle of Craig 13 along with Caol Ila 12, Glendronach 12 and Glenfiddich Reserve Cask, all 1 liter), I also saw at least 2 Irish single malts with age statements and relatively inexpensive compared to Scotch. One was under $30US. I was tempted to try them, but there were too many Scotch malts I wanted to get :) Also saw an interesting JW - "Island Green" - a NAS malt blend (a riff on Green Label) 1L and 43%. This was my first visit to a Duty Free with any knowledge of Scotch (being a less than 2 years newbie). I gotta say: there are some values to be had and I like the 1L bottles :) AND you still get the nice boxes (which I collect).
Picked a bottle of this up in Booths Kendal for £35. A bargain. Good quality spirit, well matured. Complex and very rewarding. I've drunk a lot worse whiskies at a higher price. Will pick up another bottle if I see it at the same price and put it away for a rainy day.....
Rewatching this years later I am circling back to your comments about Irish malts. I recently tried West Cork 10 year old single malt and sipping Craigellachie 13 again I see exactly what you mean! West Cork is drier and more bitter than most scotch, vegetal. But that also means that old fashioned Irish whiskey might be coming back? I hope.
It is very interesting and informative to listen to you Ralfy wafle or no wafle =) A perfect Friday evening would be to gather around the fire and listen to what you have to say. Im just tasting my Craigellachie (i bought it today) and it is indeed a challenge. I will see how i find it the next days so the taste will set in and i will get use to it. I tend to prefer peated whiskys but i gladly try other malts. Thanks again.
Oh, I think you will get some decent support for a "premium grade" SM for sure..not in the contemporary scotch whisky bussiness of course but customers are getting the message and distillers will have to response sooner or later. Next..would be Glenmorangie Taghta? Cheers malt mate!
Ralfy's premium criteria: - 46% abv - no chill filtration - no added colorant (implied) - worm tubs - dunnage warehouses - no refill casks Are there any distilleries that abide by these? I'm thinking maybe Springbank, though I'm not sure of their cask policy. Any others?
Unfortunately this malt does not seem to be available in BC or Alberta. The name in Canada refers to an historic location in the wilds of interior BC were the las spike was driven in the 19th century (about 1885). I learned the pronunciation that you use when I visited the site about 20 years ago and spoke with the park guide. I think few Canadians would recognize that pronunciation. Too bad we can't get that whisky. Sounds like a good'un.
The Cragellachie 13 sounds like it would be in a similar class to the Ardmore Traditional Cask Slightly Peated @46% (Sadly discontinued) ... very challenging, bitter, astringent - shifting and complex ... The 13 is currently $93 in Australia ... pretty pricey, but if it's good it's worth it ...
I've been feeling kind of lost in what to try next. I've tasted a lot of Speyside whiskies. Maybe this is the challenge I'm looking for! Thank you Ralfy for your sound advice! It has helped a lot over the years!
Speyside är Skottlands största distrikt till antal destillerier. 50 st. Köper bara Speyside. The Benriach 12 yrs single malt sherry wood och Craigellachie är bäst.
I saw this at my whiskey store....never heard of it so looked at it, was interested but wanted to come here first. Im a little tied between this and Benromach. Which to try?
I agree that it has improved, and I add that I really like it. But does it really have e150a in it? In Germany it needs to be written on the bottle...and on mine there's no sign of e150
That's pretty compelling evidence that it is not artificially coloured. My info from someone in the industry was that it was colored. I may be wrong because Germany law is clear on this point.
You mentioned that Craigellachie could make a good peated whisky. Seeing that they don't, do you think this 13 year old might handle a little added peated whisky like Ardbeg 10, Lagavulin 8 or some Ledaig 10 to give it some smoky character?
I came across a signatory 10 year bottling on master of malt today, at a very cheap price..... So went looking for reviews and found this review of a more mature version. Do you/whisky lovers feel it's worth a punt at £30, or will it just be even more difficult?
Right out the bottle this whiskey is too difficult for me. I find it drinkable if i add a teaspoon of water and let it sit for 10 minutes. It mellows out quite a lot.
I truly believe that January 2015 is going to be a "tell tale" year for a lot of standby mid-shelf whiskies. After the upcomming Dec/2014 glut of sales and Christmas specials I think 2015 will be a revamping year for producers in regards to price vs quality. (I can only pray) One would suppose that the distillery's don't want to loose their loyal customers by pricing their mediocre spirits with mid to hefty cost-of-living increases. Highland Park12 did this last year and the results were glaring.(don't even mention the HP18, once a terrific buy) The HP12 price in 2013 was $44 and Jan14 it blew up to $49. In the face of declining quality. bad move I believe especially when the Ralfys of the whisky world have addressed such declining qualities of some good 'ol go-to brands while prices shamelessly climb thus calling attention to the lop-sided disparity. Yes it WILL be interesting to see how much respect the loyal consumers will be afforded in regards to negative reviews, commentary and complaints that have come to a head in 2014.
Whoa, sounds like a challenge indeed, this 13yo. Very informative review - as always! :-) One question: Have you tried the Craigellachie 17yo yet, Ralfie?
