Craigellachie 13 Year Old Bas-Armagnac Cask Finish

Delicate, Juicy, Oak, Vanilla
2023-07-30

The 13-year-old 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.

Craigellachie 13 Year Old Bas-Armagnac Cask Finish (@whiskyedition)

Smell

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.

Taste

Bitter, really bitter and tart like green apple in bitter almond sauce tastes the 13 year old 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.

Thoughts

It is really a matter of taste whether you like bitter notes or not. The quality is right, the age is recognisable, yet the bitterness irritates us. If we liked to eat and drink bitter things, we would certainly like this bottling. The Armagnac finish feels too short, because we miss the intense fruitiness of the brandy.

Rating: 78/100 - Very Good (Marcel: 79 | Sascha: 77)

Value for Money: 4/5 - Good

Preview Image Source: The Whisky Exchange