Craigellachie 2011 46% ABV (Aged 9 Years)

Happy Whisky Wednesday to you all, it’s halfway through the week already, just 2 more days to go and then we will be into the weekend, let’s hope it hurries up!

I’ve got a tremendous treat of a post today which is focused on my first ever whisky I’ve ever sampled in my whole life.

Since meeting Isobel, her father Chris has provided me into the amazing insight into the Whisky World and I can truthfully say I have further expanded my passion to enjoy this luxurious tipple.

Today’s post is on The Craigellachie Whisky!

History

The Craigellachie Distillery is a tremendous single malt scotch whisky distillery which is situated up north in Scotland in the town of Aberlour within the terrific village believe it or not of Craigellachie.

The name Craigellachie means ‘rocky hill’ and refers to the cliff which overlooks the Spey across from The Macallan Distillery.

The distillery was built in 1890 and it was designed by Charles Doig and the distillery was built with the modern conveniences to make fruity and sweet whiskies.

Currently, Bacardi Martini operates the distillery through a subsidiary Dewar & Sons.

In 1896 the distillery was reconstructed as the Craigellachie-Glenlivet Distillery Limited.

During 1916 the ownership of the distillery was granted to Sir Peter Mackie and Alexandra Edwards, who led all operations, these two gentlemen were the Scotch whisky Heroes, I don’t really know much about them both but from reading off the internet, it certainly shows they both know their general knowledge on whiskies.

This is Sir Peter Mackie, what an inspirational person he was, I wish if I was born at the right time, I could have had the chance to meet him.

Furthermore, between 1964-65 the distillery was reconstructed again which made way for the pot stills to be doubled.

Then, in 1998 the distillery was then sold on to John Dewar & Sons under license with Bacardi and still to this very day they are currently operating the facility.

This is a more up to date look of the distillery, I’ve never actually been to Craigellachie or either to Scotland, but I believe me and Isobel have planned it in the future, I would love to go and see all the marvellous distilleries that are based up north.

There has only been a handful of official bottlings from this distillery and the whisky recipes is currently primarily used for Dewar’s blended whisky.

I am really proud to own a tremendous bottle of Craigellachie and in my review section, I will talk about the ageing, bottling and how succulent this beautiful drink is.

On another note, I just wanted to say how awesome this distillery is, it is one of my favourite and from searching the internet, I’ve learnt a whole history lesson on this fantastic business and I really do hope that they continue to thrive in the future.

Tasting Notes

Craigellachie 2011 Aged 9 Years – Slightly sulfuric on the nose with apples, strawberries and lemon zest. The taste is surprisingly very sweet with salted caramel, pepper and spice on the palate. There is a unique long finish with lingering pepper.

All in all a beautiful whisky to enjoy in the summer whilst indulging into a Vanilla Cheesecake or strawberry gateaux.

Review

Before I get into my review, I just want to talk about bottling and ageing.

Like beer, whisky once distilled and produced it is transported into casks, these are not like your normal steel firkin casks, the casks I am talking about are wooden.

There are different types such as American oak, French Oak, Rum casks and loads more.

Craigellachie is produced in a single cask and this means when it comes to bottling the whisky is drawn from one individual cask, no two casks are the same which means every single cask whisky is unique and different.

When you leave whisky within a cask for so long the flavourings become more vibrant and stronger, whereas with beer it just goes sour and the taste is like rotten eggs, YUCK!!!

Here it is my bottle of Craigellachie, to put into context very briefly, the whisky was distilled in 2011 and once produced it was transferred into a single cask.

The whisky was then left for 8 years and then was bottled in 2019.

Also, another important factor to remember, if you have a bottle of Craigellachie which was distilled in 2008 and then bottled in 2020, that whisky will taste completely different as it has been aged for longer!

The whisky forms part of the Speyside blend due to where the distillery is situated up in Scotland.

I bought this bottle from The Whisky Shop in Trentham which is in Stoke On Trent and I was at a whisky tasting event with Chris, this was also when I signed up to The Whisky Shop, on the night we sampled this whisky and I must say I really enjoyed it.

I loved it so much, I decided to buy myself a bottle, I was so immensely proud to own my first ever bottle of whisky and what a corker it is.

Just look how beautiful it is, the aromas of strawberry are so strong it just makes this whisky really appetising.

This whisky literally took my mind away, I felt like I was on holiday sitting on the beach enjoying this blended beauty whilst eating a succulent piece of strawberry cheesecake.

The whisky is quite light in colour, but it’s just the tastes that make it so perfect, I can highly recommend this whisky to you, it’s so indulging!

I am halfway through my bottle now since buying it last year, but I will reiterate here, this is not a drink that you just gulp away like it’s nothing, you have to take it carefully and respectfully.

Also, with this type of whisky, it’s not like a Jack Daniels where you mix it with coke or lemonade, it’s vital that you drink it neat as you will be welcomed by the delicious flavours.

If you think the whisky is too strong, then you can always try by adding small amounts of whisky water which will make the whisky become more drinkable.

I didn’t add the water because it was really enjoyable and perfect!

Ending 

I truly can’t believe it, if I look back from 2 years ago, I would never think I would be drinking whisky and now I am.

I love it and I am hoping my passion for the industry will grow even more as the years go by, Chris has helped me so much over the past year to understand the importance of this iconic drink.

I am really hoping in the future, I can try an older version of the Craigellachie or even a newer edition just so I can compare tasting notes and see which one I prefer the best.

I really hope you’ve enjoyed this whisky post, I hope it’s not too technical for you!

If you do have any questions for me relating to the whisky or the distillery, then please do send them to me and I’ll answer them as best as I can.

For now though everyone…

Cheers…

The Cask Connoisseur