Craigellachie Armagnac Cask Finish aged 13 years Single Malt Scotch Whisky Review by WhiskyJason

[@foodquig]

I have to agree with you on the subject of my favorite Craigellachie. I only had the 17 once, as it is expensive and hard to find here, but it is the best that I have had. I have never seen the 23 year old anywhere near me or online, but I haven't looked very hard. The 13 is a close second to the 17, and at 1/3 the price it is a no-brainer...

[@WhiskyJason1]

Thanks Quig!!

[@Gwhisky]

I've been very curious about this one, as I'm a huge fan of the 13 and 17. Brandy finishes can be... iffy to say the least. Great video!

[@WhiskyJason1]

Thanks GWhisky!!

[@xiamengbaby]

I picked up an independently bottled Isle of Arran (it was aged 16 years in ex-bourbon barrels in Scotland and then 8 years in cognac casks and bottled in France, so it's not legally a scotch single malt any longer). I was skeptical of the cognac finish, but for $160 for a 24 year old Arran, I took a chance. Glad I did as I'm really enjoying it. As an aside, they made the labels before they were ready to bottle the casks and so the label says 23 years, but it's actually a 24 year old.

[@WhiskyJason1]

Labels can be tricky and take some time

[@jackthepickledhound]

$160 is a great price, I paid for $190 for this dessert dram. It's a super dram, not sure how much of the Arran character is left but P.M. Spirits is only bottling high quality, world liquors. With access to their products and a few other indies I don't really need to get involved with SMWS.

[@xiamengbaby]

Craigellachie 17 goes for $140 or more in the Chicago area. The 13 year old is $50-$65, with most places at the higher end now.

[@WhiskyJason1]

Craigellachie 13 is the way to go I feel

[@superdukeism]

Love this whisky and your review?

[@WhiskyJason1]

I was not thrilled

[@superdukeism]

@@WhiskyJason1 but you are also a hard man to please😉

[@WhiskyJason1]

very true

[@davidgeschke4247]

Jason I don’t think you’re correct about the age statement/vintage on Armagnac being the oldest instead of the youngest: “A vintage may be from a single cask or a blend of different casks. The Armagnac contained in a vintaged bottle must have been distilled from grapes harvested entirely in the stated year.”

[@WhiskyJason1]

www.diffordsguide.com/bws/1174/armagnac/age-quality-statements www.armagnac.fr/en/magazine/understanding-a-label/456/0/4 Age statements on a label always refer to the youngest eau-de-vie in the blend

[@jackthepickledhound]

The worm tub connection is very interesting. Google doesn't have much about world distillates. Authentic and "old school" are just words. Generally speaking, Scottish malt is barreled with superior character than anywhere else in the world. Why do they need embellishments at all? Yes, there is tremendous competition from India, Taiwan etc but I think this era of experimentation is more about keeping Scotch relevant in the market more than producing better whisky. A *new" variety keeps the shelves fresh. Who really wants to drink the same thing year after year... and it keeps Whiskytube fresh!!!! On the other hand, how many decent sherry casks can there be to satisfy demand?. In terms of standard offerings, my gut instinct is towards vatted and married, rather than finishes and secondary maturations.

[@WhiskyJason1]

Thanks Jack!

[@Watchman999]

Great review Jason. Have you had any Craigellachie Cask Strength bottlings? WB215120 for example. I have that bottle locally for 75€ but i don’t know. I love Craigellachie

[@WhiskyJason1]

often independent Craigellachie is not great

[@philc1884]

Subscribed! Nice vid. Enjoyed the no nonsense approach and the little Armagnac tutorial. Noticed the 13 and 13 Arm at my store and considered if one of them might be an interesting pick for an upcoming scotch tasting I'm hosting. I'd like to offer something that folks might not be too familiar with. I know there is not shortage of Speyside. Would you rec the 13 for the $50ish price range or something else? thanks and cheeers!

[@WhiskyJason1]

I really like the Craigallachie 13 - even for $50

[@philc1884]

@@WhiskyJason1 really? you like it that much?... hmm....the other Spey I was considering was Glenfarcias 12. Have you tried? My objective is one from each region - under the radar or a bit uncommon. Lowlands I found Auchentoshan Amer Oak , Highlands - Glengoyne 10 or 12 or Old Pulteney 12, Campbeltown - Glen Scotia Dbl cask or SpringBank (-much more $$). Islay - Ardbeg An Oa or the 10yr (I know these are mainstream but I've had them and know they're good). Islands - Arran Lochranza Res. Any guidance much appreciated! Thx Jason!

[@SMITHFE]

I was under the impression that Germany made the producers disclose of colorant due e150 being considered an additive.

[@WhiskyJason1]

if the bottle was originally intended for the German market - yes. But it does not seem to mandatory if the bottle entered from other countries :-(

[@lyacoubian]

Prime example of a perfectly good whisky ruined by an unnecessary finishing.

[@langtoun8235]

In all likelihood the reason it was finished was because it wasn’t a perfectly good whisky.

[@welshtoro3256]

It's interesting but I'm concerned and this is a welcome video. I actually prefer the 13 to the 17 and this is a bit of mash up. We have the issue with sherry casks. There's sherry and then there's sherry. WTF Armagnac was involved with this?

[@WhiskyJason1]

experimenting is great - but sometimes the result is less than good :-(

[@jackthepickledhound]

Scotch single malt seems to have a need to flood the market with choices. It's a product that you can't sample oftentimes and you definitely can't return it after you get it home, so they're just messing around. I just saw some new 10 year old GlenAllachie wood finished BS. Almost double the $$ of an Arran 10 and a few sheckles more than the 10 CS. Silly Billy.

[@TheReal_DeanD]

You’re lucky. The powers that be saw this video and said Whisky Jason is right!!! They’re selling the Craigallechie 13 Bas Armengac for $72 USD before tax.

[@WhiskyJason1]

LOL