This is Craigellachie 13 — a Speyside single malt from one of the last family-owned distilleries in Scotland. The label recommends a drop of water; I went straight to a small neat pour first, the way I usually approach a new bottle.
Brief profile
- Style: Speyside single malt Scotch whisky
- Age: 13 years
- Character: Craigellachie is known for a slightly sulphury, meaty note that sets it apart from softer Speysides — here balanced with vanilla, orchard fruit and malt
- Strength: 46% ABV
- Best for: Drinkers who want Speyside elegance with a bit of old-school distillery personality
On first nosing: honey, baked apple, and something savoury underneath — that faint struck-match / meaty edge Craigellachie fans talk about. The palate is fuller than a light Speyside, with malt sweetness, a touch of spice, and a lingering finish that invites another sip.
The bottle had just been opened; the glass in the photo is my first proper pour, ready to try. It's a more interesting malt than a generic Speyside shelf filler, and I'm glad to have it in the collection. More notes to follow as the bottle opens up.
Also on the shelf: Robert Burns, The Whistler Bodega Cask, and Morris Rutherglen.