Craigellachie 13 REVIEW: The Speyside WEIRDO
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- Опубликовано: 6 май 2021
- I've got a single malt whisky from the Craigallachie distillery in Speyside today. This is their entry-level expression, and it comes in at the odd age of 13 years. I'll taste it and give you my thoughts. Cheers!
MISTAKE: THIS IS NOT A COLOURED WHISKY!
IG: @gwhiskytw
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Scores:
0-75 - Crap
75-79 - Cocktail fodder
80-82 - Not bad
83-85 - Getting good here
86-89 - Delicious
90-94 - Awesome
95-100 - Cowabunga Dudes
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My Top favorite Whisky YT channels:
1. First Phill Whisky
2. Whiskey Vault
3. Gwhisky.
Finish: You are awfully underrated. More people should subscribe to your channel man.
tried this for the first time over the weekend. I quite enjoyed it - the pleasant caramel sweetness was nice.
This costs only a few $ more than a Glenlivet 12 or Glenfiddich 12 basic malt, yet has so much more character and complexity. It is herbal, spicy, lemony and on occasion floral. Not for beginners, but certainly worth a try for someone who wants something different and good.
Agree. Incredible stuff. 🥃
Took this one just because of your recommendation, it was standing on shelf for a few months and now its finally open. I love it, awesome dram, thank you!
So glad you're enjoying it. Cheers Ivan! 🥃
Thanks for having a drink with me as I sit here with a glass Craigellaiche 13 sifting through reviews here on the tube. I really liked yours so you have one more subscriber. Skål!
Thanks for watching and welcome! Cheers! 🥃
You put a lot of work into your videos it shows! Love the info and detail without a lot of irrelevant or repetitive talk. Approacheable style for newbies and informed whisky enthousiasts alike. You clearly understand what makes a good Scotch and have a good palate with great tasting notes. Really impressed! Keep it up 👍🏻BTW the profile of the Craigellachie although I have yet to try it sounds a lot like Glen Garioch 12 (That is a really weird malt but keeps making me come back to it whenever its finished I miss it eventually and always get another). Would recommend you look into it and possibly share your thoughts with us on it on a future video.
Man, comments like this really lift my mood. I'm a total amateur, but glad my reviews resonate with you!
I think my last bottle of Glen Garioch 12 was at least five years back. I remember it was pretty good. Might be one to circle back around to. Thanks for the kind words and recommendation!
@@Gwhisky I believe in giving credit where its due buddy and can really see your channel lifting off in the not too distant future just keep proving quality content like this and the rest will come. All the best from a fan.
This is one of my current favourites. Excellent value!
It's great! 🥃
This is one whiskey that really does well with a little water it just takes the edge off and rounds this robust drop back a bit. Great review as usual mate!!
Thanks Dan!
Thanks for the shout out! I'm in complete agreement that this Scotch is for the more seasoned whisky aficionado. The more time I spend with C13 the more I appreciate what it has to offer =)
Really happy to have found this one!
@@Gwhisky Glenglassaugh Revival should be on your radar if you like red wine finishes. It's well balanced & checks all the boxes (46% - Unchill Filtered - Natural Color). This one hasn't been given much attention by whisky tubers. Billy Walker set this one in motion before he sold his interest. Rachel Barre looks after it now since 2017. Not a bad pedigree =) Cheers 🍻
Lol poor Glenglassaugh. Gets no love. I've never had it, sounds like one to keep it in mind. Thanks!
This one is a lot challenging than the 17. The 17 hides the more funky and spirit notes behind the sherry a lot more while it's in full display with the 13. First time tasting it today and it's a pretty fun one to take tasting notes on just because it has a bit of everything
Going to pick one up this weekend!
Nice review
I love your reviews. Thank you!
Thats awesome! Thanks for watching, Rick! 🙏
It has an addictive taste... odd but good!! Good for the price. I’ve added a little bit of Laphroaig & GlenDronach 12 to the Craigellachie 13... wow! Only $47 in Ohio.
Not a bad price at all! Definitely worth it!.
Dronach 12 and Laphroaig? Hah I'm not usually one to mix my single malts but I'm sure it produces some pretty cool results. Interesting!
I’ve heard Ralfy say that you should never mix Laphroaig with anything because it will taste like Laphroaig…
I agree about this bottle, and it's very well priced all things considered. It's definitely one of the beefier Speysiders and I like it. I've never hand any other of their other, older bottlings, but I'd be willing to try them someday 👍👍
P.S. The busy label aside, I really love the shape & heft of the bottle.
Yeah good stuff. I was eyeing the 17 the other day. A bit pricey for its age here, but I'm sure I'll give it a go eventually.
Right now this is my second favourite whisky (I only count affordable whiskys):
1: Kilkerran 12
2: Craigellachie 13
3: Undecided. Ledaig 10 is up there but I can't make up my mind.
Just got one of these delivered to a buddy's place, should be picking it up soon, it's been on the radar for a while and I've tried (as in, a dram) the 17 and have had a bunch of IB's that have all been quite delicious. It was on a great deal so I had to pull the trigger.
Good stuff, hope you like it. I'm really curious about the 17 having tried this one.
Thank you for this review. I have tried Glen Elgin 12 now, and I loved it. I don't think I will appreciate this C13. You have explained very clearly what to expect, and I think it would be off putting for me, as I rely on typical Speysiders.
Glad you like the Elgin! Really nice stuff! Well part of the reason online reviews are helpful is that we can pick and choose the whiskies that appeal to us based on their descriptions. If your preference is for typical Speyside profiles, this one might not be your cup of tea. Cheers.
Just picked up a bottle of this and am loving it. Really different to most others I’ve tried. I’m more of an Islay man usually, this is really good.
Thanks!
It's a beauty. Glad you're enjoying it! 🥃
Been wondering about this one as well. Even more curious now will order a bottle and curse your name if I hate it! jk the Clynelish is a staple for me so fairly confident. Second the motion on a review of Glen Garioch 12, another underdog getting increased recognition. Cheers man! I can skip all the rest of the youtube whisky 'flannel' now because Ralfy (Sensei) and you (Grasshopper) are all I need. Next move is apprentice under the great one toiling in the Bothy for rare drams. Wax on wax off!
Wow that's high praise! Not sure it's deserved but thank you! Glen Garioch 12 is something I havent tried in ages. I'll keep an eye out for it!
@@Gwhisky Seriously man you're not a novice and you do your homework, but you don't pretend to be an expert or snob either. Most whisky channels are either click-baity, gimicky or long and tediously pretentious. You strike the right balance imo. Your reviews are concise, informative and always interesting. The only thing you could change is the location; the Bothy it ain't lol. Keep up the great work!
Just discovered your channel, excellent concise reviews. Managed to pick up a bottle of this in Italy for €38, an absolute bargain. I love the sulphurous and minty notes in this whisky, very unique.
Have you tried Inchmoan 12 from Loch Lomond, another Great whisky that slips under teh radar
Thanks for the kind words. Yeah Craigellachie is a banger especially for the price! I've never tried that Inchmoan, sounds interesting! I'll keep an eye out for it!
It's a friendly brute. I like it!
Be looking forward to the finish this week. The sweet notes in the first sip I'll just have to get through and wait it out. Thanks for reviewing this! Just bought a bottle yesterday.
Glad you're giving it some time. Enjoy!
Interesting. I just had the second taste of mine and got a different nose. I found ripe dark fruit berries, Plum, Shortbread cookies, Carmel, and Vanilla. I agree a lot on the palette except the olives but there is a slight salty note and a little buttery. Medium finish. I’ll have to revisit it and look for some of your notes. 🥃
Ah finally! Really love the Craigallachie 13. It is one of the most singular, expressive, unique expressions out there. I love it when distilleries are not scared to push some of the feints in the distillate to get those savory, meaty flavor profiles. The balance of fruits, herbs and savory gives it an unique character and provides us with some wonderful malt moments. It is not for the un-initiated, not an easy drinker, not for those who are scared of flavor. Most definitely needs time in the bottle and the glass. A little room temperature water opens it up beautifully.
Thank you for reviewing this. I think this should be showcased more for people to try and enjoy. Currently on sale for 34$ in PA!!! Unbeatable price for what it offers. 46% and Non Chill filtered. I thought it was natural color as well, have you found information on coloring? Anyways, a wonderful dram that deserves more discussion and consumption! Although those who have had the Dewars blended whisky have had Craigallachie in their blends. It is now time to appreciate it on its own merits!
Yeah spirit driven whiskies can be risky, but they're very rewarding when they work. Prime example of that here. I particularly like the pineapple note in this.
$34 is insane for this. Usually in Taiwan our whiskies are substantially cheaper than the US (or anywhere else, really), but it seems you guys have us beat when it comes to Craigellachie.
There seems to be some conflicting information out there on this one regarding colour. I checked some European websites which stated that there's been colour added. I usually turn to the German websites for the final say.
@@Gwhisky I love how the taste profile changes in the glass. It has a distinctive sweet, sour note with an underlying brine and almost phenolic character. Probably due to the brave inclusion of feints in the spirit. I really enjoy challenging, characterful whiskies like this on a quiet, reflective evening. Interesting you get a pineapple note. I haven't found that. Definitely green mangoes, ripe pear, cream soda, mild cumin, sage and dill. In the finish I get a beef jerky note which I really like followed by candied ginger. The only other whisky I would compare to this one in terms of flavor profile would be Teaninich 10 cask strength, bottled by Mossburn. That one is a pretty rough and requires substantial water and time to tame down, but has similar flavor notes.
Yes, Pennsylvania scored high here and I think the lack in demand has driven down the prices. I got myself another bottle last week while the prices are at rock bottom. It is not surprising that it is not a hit in this area. Most people go for intensely sweet, insipid 40% bourbons.
Interesting about the color. For a 13 year old, it doesn't look like E150 but if German websites has it there, maybe a little. It did not introduce that horrible, synthetic saccharin note that some whiskies with coloring does.
Yeah if there's colour added, which it seems there is, it's a minimal amount. It's by no means a dark whisky, and yeah that artificial sweetener flavour isn't there.
Seems a couple of our tasting notes match up, while others don't. Part of the fun with this one. I'm sure people's experiences with this whisky vary, including what tasting notes they pull. I'll have to look for that cream soda note next time!
@@Gwhisky Yes indeed! I love how discerning malt mates come up with unique flavors and comparing notes adds to the experience. The cream soda note is more prominent with a splash of water after sometime in the glass. I had a dram last night as well. Lovely stuff. I remember my early days when I enjoyed the Dewars blend without an inkling of what it composed of. I wonder if that memory has something to do with my partiality for Craigellachie?
@Gwhisky ,"All Craigellachie expressions are non-chill filtered, contain no caramel colouring and are bottled at 46% ABV." From their official site,so let.s enjoy peacefully a good dram,my friend!🥃🥃
Brilliant review of such a fantastic dirty dram and agree it is on the challenging side. On a tasting, I believe they said it is natural colour and is non chill-filtered and also says this on the Whisky Exchange website. Maybe different internationally? Great high-quality video Geoff 👌
The German websites say it contains e150a, but yeah I suppose it's possible that the international version that's coloured. Regardless, definitely a good one!
@@Gwhisky That's intresting that and I will check with one of their representatives and get back. It is great that it is law in Germany to state any colouring, wish it was common practice throughout. Cheers
Do let me know what you learn. I'm curious myself!
@@JeffWhisky well?
I know this is a year after the review but the UK site says no caramel colouring is used.
Thanks for the review! I bought a bottle yesterday. As a rookie-whiskydrinker (i do it for 1 or 2 years more seriously) I was prepared for a disappointing - difficult - first glass, but I somehow liked it at once. Maybe it helped that I let the whisky open up in the glass for 20 minutes or so. I am curious how it will develop in the coming weeks/months!
It might open up and get slightly more approachable. Glad to hear you liked it right out the gate! 🥃
I enjoyed your review and totally understand your comments about this being an interesting whisky but not for the beginner. I'm not sure I agree with your tasting notes but that could be a cultural difference of the kinds of foods you eat in North America compared to the UK.
On the nose, I get Oldy Worldy Chemists smells of wooden shelves, black tea and medicinal herbs, a faint aroma of spent fireworks in the air on Guy Fawkes night, strong malted apple cider vinegar, luscious but slightly sour yellow apples and peaches in syrup, oily honey dew melon and Lyle's golden syrup.
As McCoy would say to Captain Kirk:
“It’s a Speyside Whisky, Jim, but not as we know it!”
Tasting, you get creamy walnut whip. Oily sour apples, dried apricots and peaches in syrup. Dried sour honey with walnuts, then the grilled buttered "chunky" smoked haddock makes an appearance in the body with vanilla cake and dry vanilla wood spices, fresh black tea leaves and tea in a cup for a fantastic finish.
A lot of Highland whiskies have a new furniture store smell with varnished polished wood on the palette. But not this whisky! Some like Benromach have a new pine wood character. Not this whisky! It’s more like an old wooden chest which is used to keep herbs and black tea.
Me I LOVE IT!
One last point. Yes, I know it does not state natural colour but if you take into consideration that this expression is 100% Ex-Bourbon cask matured and Non Chilled Filtered, this dirty straw pale yellowish colour, in my opinion, is exactly the colour you would expect. Not a hint of a brown/orange butterscotch suntan that adding E150a caramel would usually produce. So, if they have added Caramel Spirit colouring, it is just a touch. In my opinion, I do not believe there is any E150a in this at all.
Take a look at the 17 Year Old which is a marriage of heavily charred American Oak casks and American Oak Sherry casks. Now, the 17YO is a dark red colour which exactly reflects the natural cask maturation. Again, in my opinion, I don't think there is any E150a in this either.
Very detailed tasting notes! Lyles Golden Syrup, tea, and old chests. Nice! Of course tasting notes often differ, as does opinion.
I have yet to try the 17, but I'm quite curious about it after having tried this one.
I checked a couple websites from Germany that stated it was coloured, but I've heard from several people that this might be incorrect. Very possible.
Love that one🥂
Excellent stuff!
Whiskies that start out unargreeable then with a bit of time and patience end up being an enjoyable dram are very satisfying
Just trying this distillery for the first time bought a bottle from a cask str 14yo barrel pick tastes similar to glen garioch
I really like this one. One of its unusual characters for me is a nice bitterness, like grapefruit. I think if your preferred drink is gin and tonic, this might suit you.
This review is dated. It was my whisky of the year for 2021 and one of my all-time favourite affordable whiskies. 🥃
Evey dram from my first bottle was a different experience. I was new in this journey so I kept at it. I don't know how they do this but I think we all agree this is weird.
The price is hard to beat, and then my next 2 bottles were much more constantly sweeter so it's now like a go to bottle to start off with.
Totally agree. I haven't once been bored with this. I don't always use “interesting” as a compliment, but it is here!
I think the relative price for this bottle is lower in the states than in Taiwan. Its at the higher end of entry level pricing here. Cheers!
@@Gwhisky thanks to all the Whiskytube influencers I was able to see the "value" in $199 for the 23 year old. Haven't actually opened it yet but long gone are the days when I enjoyed the 2/$100 whisky hobby.
I can still do that with Ardbeg10 and Craig 13, out the door tax included.
It is a shame about the color though. And shame on Tobermory too.
Sad but true. The deeper we get into whisky the deeper our pockets need to be. Nice to have some affordable whiskies like this to fall back on. That 23 sounds awesome. A bit out of my budget, but looks interesting. Curious to hear how you feel about it when you get a chance to pop it!
Thank you so much for such a lovely video, it is quite useful for all those wondering, like me, could this be my next bottle to buy. I wonder what exactly do you mean by saying there's a certain "funk" about it? I've heard similar thinkg being said about Springbank for instance. What kind of smell or sensation is it?
For me funk is a fermented note. It can be fruity, farmy, rancid, lactic, or even vegetal. In this case fermented fruits like pineapple.
@@Gwhisky I see, excellent, I know this specific smell, sometimes it even reminds me of a mushrooms.
It’s good stuff! Just buy it
I'd like to see a review of Ledaig Rioja, it amazes me how underrated it is. It's exactly what I hoped for, being a ledaig and rioja fan.
I'd love to get my hands on it! Anything Ledaig would be high on my shopping list. Unfortunately that one hasn't made its way to my market yet. If/when it does it'll definitely get bought and reviewed. Cheers!
This is a bargain whisky! It challenges your palate and is a real one for whisky nerds. You’ll find something interesting here in the same way Ben Nevis 10 is but completely different profile. Most importantly it’s exceptionally well crafted and honest. Slàinte
Yeah it took a while for me to warm up to this stuff, but I got there. Great whisky at a great price. Cheers Pete!
@@Gwhisky Great review keep up the good work
thanks mate....I think I may get my first bottle tonight.....I think I might like the funky, edgy, sharp character....we'll see.
Bottle just arrived (16-Jun-23)......first impressions / first dram ---> Nose: Medicine, green apples, oak(?), cherries (or perhaps ripe banana). Palate: big rush, hard to decipher what is going on...all spice....some sweetness like Vanilla. Finish: spice, pepper, stewed fruits at the very end. This needs time in the bottle I think. It's kind of affronting on the palate. Shades (very slight shades) of a Bladnoch whisky profile but more bourbony. I think it will end up being a nice whiskey
Hope so! 🥃
I've heard this compared to Glencadam 15... your thoughts?
This is far less pretty. More rugged and atypical. Glencadam is softer and more floral. Both excellent!
Hey, read from Craigellachie official site that says its natural colour, not sure if it is really otherwise depending on the source of news?
The website was updated to include that info after I posted this review, so sadly this video's a bit outdated. Yes... all natural. Just the way we like it! 🥃
In my area the cost is $79.95 and after frying my first bottle I am not sure if I would buy another one. We have been having a limited supply of Scotch in my area and the costs are becoming way to high for my budget. The quality of scotch has been falling over the past 15 yrs as far as I am concerned.
That seems high. I've heard it's much less than that in most markets. It's about half that price in mine.
The "loudness" of the label always has put me off in to trying it, I like a whisky which fights back though😂🥃
Somehow, I’m more confused than ever about this one. I love sherry bombs, but I also don’t mind some peat. This sounds completely off the beaten path. Wish they sold a smaller bottle or maybe I can find at a bar
It's a bit of a jump if you're not into the style, but it's definitely worth trying. Good call trying a sample first! 🥃
The 17 is very good, personally just find it difficult to justify the price vs character of the whisky.
I'm really curious about the 17, actually. Sadly it's quite pricey...
@@Gwhisky agree, the 13 is a great recommendation, thanks.
I’m a beginner and I really like the Craigellachie 13. Yes, it certainly is a bit different from the other Speyside whiskies I have tried. I just opened the bottle and it is good to know it will get even better with some age. By the way, their website says “no caramel colouring”.
Hey there, just opened mine today and loving it even more than I remember I did at the bar a couple months ago, also noted the same about the natural colouring, cheers!
Yeah this is an older video. I posted this before Craigellachie updated their website to include the info about being natural. 🥃
Garlic bread sticks note!
+ R you sure it's colored? I've kept reading / hearing it's natural.
( Horst Luening & Co list no ' Zuckerkulör ' )
www.whisky.de/shop/Schottland/Single-Malt/Highlands/Craigellachie-13-Jahre.html
@@ninetyZeven Hi, according to eWhisky.de website, it is coloured. In Germany its mandatory to list colouring additives. ewhisky.de/craigellachie-13-jahre.html. Maybe previous batches were not coloured?
Lol garlic bread eh? I'll have to look for that next session.
I'm no expert, so it's possible I make mistakes, but I do believe this one is coloured based on a few websites I checked.
@@jorgenunez1826 That could be. Thanks 4 the info!
@@jorgenunez1826 ( TheWhiskyExchange also lists it as non colored. )
Batches though, again, could be.
Craigellachie 13 is 100% natural color, from official source!👍
Yes they updated the website over the past year to say so, which was very welcome. Cheers! 🥃
It is the only whisky I have tried I like. But I think the older ones are better
I've got the 17 and it's also fantastic! 🥃
The Craigellachie website says it's not a colored whiskey
Yes I know. This review is old.
i never hear the note i taste - peanut butter. yep. very clear to me.
I'll have to look for that with my next dram! 🥃
pretty sure craigellachie’s website says it’s no caramel color added
Yeah it does now. It didn't back when I shot this.
Nice Video...according to my information, this whisky is natural colour.
I've since been told. Thanks Tom! 🥃
never seen it here,, so..
This is where it all began 😭
To be fair... this first review is VERY dated. Hah.
@@Gwhisky maybe time for a re-review 👀
Is this stuff colored
No. 🥃
It took me a while to grasp what is going on with this whisky - lots of notes and sensations that one doesn't typically meet in a single dram. Tasting this again, now that I'm halfway down the bottle, it strikes me as something like an abstract sculpture - at first encounter, it seems unfamiliar and off the wall, and baffles the senses; but on 'viewing' it from different angles on different occasions, its disparate elements come into a unique coherence (sorry to sound a bit precious). It is definitely old-style with a slight sulphuric tang and strong herbal notes ricocheting around the palate. It creates a kind of 'negative space' on the palate and it is obvious that it is a wonderful malt for blending where another malt or malts could occupy that negative space. In that way it is a bit like Aultmore 12 - a very individual character with some orchard fruit but also some astringent edges, and clearly a key component of blends because it delivers a one-off experience. My bottling is from 2016 (purchased around 2021) so I'm not sure if later bottlings are different in terms of barrel composition but I will certainly buy another. Lovers of Springbank 10 should give this a whirl.
Damn that was well written. How much for you to script my videos? 😂
@@Gwhisky Yeah got a bit carried away, but something just clicked with me with this bottling the other evening. I sipped along with Ralfy and yourself to get my bearings. Later when I watched the rest of your video, you basically said the same thing so I felt a bit justified in my flights of fancy ;)
G….Very astute analogy , it is a strange one , different and well worth a try , your reviews/ tastings are on the face of it a bit too quick you comment on the taste after literally 5 seconds .
But obviously this is not the case , you’ve had the whiskies open over a period and have built up your opinion but perhaps just explain a little more that you haven’t just sniffed tasted and finished ..ie formed an opinion in 5 seconds flat ..Excellent channel just a tiny bit too rapid , keeps it punchy but ..fill it out a tad 👍🥃🥃
Thanks Allan. I do try to keep my reviews concise and quick. Actually my tasting notes are scripted, although I might throw in a couple notes here or there that pop up as I shoot. I sit down with the whiskies in advance and jot down the tasting notes and some general talking points I want to cover. I appreciate the constructive criticism though! I can appreciate that it might seem rushed as I'm not actually coaxing out the flavours in real time.
bro i like this one bud please en i mean please donth say stupid stuff like it that this is as good as clynelish 14 clynelish 14 is way mutch better bud olso a hard whisky you need to take time whith the clynelish 14
"Don't say stupid stuff." 😂
You really should do your homework mate... craigellachie 13 has no added colour just so you know!
This video is old. Wasn't listed anywhere on their site at the time. It was updated after this.
It is not colored
You're right. The brand hadn't advertised that on the website or clarified that the colour was natural at the time of posting this video.
On their website they say they don't use any added colouring.
Yes they updated the website not long ago. All natural!
Right now this is my second favourite whisky (I only count affordable whiskys):
1: Kilkerran 12
2: Craigellachie 13
3: Undecided. Ledaig 10 is up there but I can't make up my mind.