Craigellachie 13 Years Bas-Armagnac Cask Finish
The 13-years single malt was post-matured in Armagnac casks from the Bas-Armagnac region - one of the three French Armagnac regions. The distillery still uses traditional worm tubs to cool the distillate. Although this is not as efficient and low-maintenance as newer condensation methods, it still gives the malt a special note.
The panel
Mean 78.0 · spread 2
Value for money 4/5
- Distillery
- Craigellachie
- Type
- Single Malt
- Region
- Speyside
- Country
- Scotland
- Age
- 13 years
- Strength
- 46% ABV
- Character
- delicate
Tasting
Nose
The Speysider opens with lemongrass, a little honey and hay. This is joined by a colourful mix of tropical fruits, such as coconut and pineapple. The nose is rounded off by almonds, a light note of cinnamon and minimal toasted aromas.
Palate
Bitter, really bitter and tart like green apple in bitter almond sauce tastes the 13 years single malt. A small peppery and salty portion of brown rice mixed with synthetic lemon form an exotic flavour profile. You have to like it.
Finish
The medium-long finish then convinces again with slightly fruity and citrusy aromas with a hint of oak.
Verdicts
Marcel
If you enjoy intense bitterness, this one will be right up your alley – for everyone else, the Craigellachie 13 with Bas-Armagnac finish is more of a challenge. The fruity hints are present but get lost in the bitter-sour profile. A dramatic character that will definitely divide opinions.
Sascha
The balance of the Craigellachie 13 Years in Bas-Armagnac Cask Finish feels somewhat uneven due to the dominant bitterness and sour notes. The finish could be more intense in terms of Armagnac fruitiness to better highlight the complex structure. Overall, a solid but not entirely rounded release.
What it is worth
We do not yet hold bottle-level auction results — that sits behind Whisky Hunter’s authenticated feed. What follows is the market for Craigellachie as a whole, which sets the weather for this bottling without pricing it.
Latest mean bid £132 across 127 lots · 2024-08