ralfy review 650 - Craigellachie 17yo @46%vol

[@graemeyoung5280]

Thanks Ralfy this is a malt I dearly love. Indeed the tour at Craigellachie is devine especially when you hit the copperage in the same tour. Very lovely malt, and the 23 is super indeed.

[@LobstarNZ]

"Standard 250ml dram" 😗👊

[@cato451]

Craigellachie is heaven. Located right where the Spey and Fiddich collide. I stayed at the highlander inn last year. Can't wait to go back.

[@1o1s1s1i1e]

I've tried the 13 year old Craigellachie, and before I was a third of the way into the bottle went out and purchased another to have on hand, really enjoyed it! Good value for money too. I haven't seen the 17 year old but will keep an eye out for it. Thank's Ralfy, another interesting review.

[@welshtoro3256]

Bravo Ralfy for praising the the cooper's art. That is a profession that is seriously undervalued in the entire drinks industry.

[@dickturpin3515]

I put it to you Sir.. You understand , and use, a truly vast amount of word's.. And your reviews are second to none. Respect Ralfy 👊

[@philclurow4753]

Just finished a bottle of the 13 YO! Quite impressed

[@toddstevens6608]

love Craigellachie Distillery! their use of worm tubs and their low-reflux stills (kind of lamp shaped) contribute to a robust flavor and unique experience.

[@Hogibaer]

I can only second the commendation of the 23yo, a really great dram you could almost take for an older Glen Garioch. However those who look for strong peat and/or sherry will be disappointed. In this way it's understated like the younger versions, but pretty complex and really shines when you give it time and a small dash of water. :-)

[@johnhenfrey5936]

Short but sweet! Thanks for the review Ralfy

[@Themilkmanskid.]

After listening to this review and the other one on Craigellachie 13 there is still (haha no pun) more to learn? What a wealth of knowledge in these reviews! Thanks much Ralfy!

[@Themilkmanskid.]

Back to say I just bought this, but will open it later. Am sorry to see after getting this home that it doesn't say anything about coloring. Scared to open it, because I don't want to taste anything to do with artificial coloring. All I want from this is a bit more richness of the yummyness of Craigellichie 13, but this bottle is dark. Wow as dark as a sherry bom. I'm worried that at least some of the darkness is coming from coloring, hence sweetness added or some fake flavor. Certainly don't like a sweet scotch or fake flavor at the price I paid for this dram and the research I put into finding ones that will most likely fit my palette. Maybe I'm weird about all this, but my inexperience, and neediness to learn about scotch always takes me in directions that raise more questions. I love your reviews and most other's reviews to learn from. Very grateful for these! Cheers and I'll be back to write what I found in this 17 in a monthish.

[@WhiskyWhistle]

Thanks Ralfy! I am dying to try that one now along with the older ones. The 13 is a superb malt. When you say sherbety do you mean that slight effervescent tingle some malts show? Cheers, Mark

[@rbassdo]

Just picked this up at Costco for $129.99US. Ralphie, may I say your descriptions of the nose and taste are so detailed and eloquent, I cannot hope to pick up all those notes. However, your big picture notes ring very true. Very enjoyable complex bottling best enjoyed when you have time to take it all in.

[@donmon5361]

how are you enjoying the bottle thus far? im considering picking one up, after watching whisky.com's video, Horst loved it.. though im a bit off put by Ralfy saying it has a slight finish.

[@RaeucherLaX]

Hey Ralfy, Great Video as always and I have to add that you're absolutely right about the Speyside Cooperage. IMO definitely a must see in addition to some distillery visits.

[@jamesmatthews291]

Interesting, informative & entertaining as ever. Thanks for these reviews Ralfy, been a subscriber for some time and I always seem to watch a video from the archive immediately after a new one comes out.

[@foodquig]

I enjoyed the 13 very much. Unfortunately, I have never seen the 17 on nearby British Columbia shelves, and even if I did find it I probably couldn't afford it... A standard 250ml dram would last me all night!

[@elfarinn]

Went to the Speyside cooperage last month during the Spirit of Speyside whiskey festival. Very interesting getting insight of this important process of the whiskey. Respect to the cooperage for their physical sacrifice.

[@smacman68]

The label is the contract. I love it. Never thought about it that way.

[@ehudwolpe]

Interesting as always. thank you Ralfy.

[@_alexangelov]

Will you review Laphroaig Select? If you already have I haven't found the video! I do like it. I was given a bottle recently and would like to know your opinion. Thanks for the great videos! I'm learning so much, and not just about whisky!

[@danw1086]

Ralfy has had a policy since 2015 of not reviewing NAS (no age statement) whiskies. So he won't review Laphroaig select.

[@mcomiskey7]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4TSpZWKZZV3j5Y

[@Pezeshful]

love the reviews, I dont even drink

[@Pezeshful]

and can i just say, you are beyond articulate, everything you say is crystal clear and you have such passion for what you do

[@jameshill80]

there is also a 19yo litre bottle available at the airports.

[@paul8192]

Hi Ralfy have you tried Cutty Sark Prohibition Edition; 50 % alc and non-chill filtered, delisioso ! Also no caramel from what I can tell.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . yes, quite a light whisky but clean and fresh !

[@paul8192]

puts me in mind of our Florida rum running and whisky running past; bringing crates of the good stuff onto Fort Lauderdale beach circa 1924

[@graemeyoung5280]

paul abramovici totally love the prohibition and it is so very cheaply priced!! Smile per dram is off the chart!!

[@triplecap4307]

NIce call on the cooperage. We were there a few years ago.

[@michaellambright7968]

What is an example of a single malt that says un-chill filtererd or natural color on the box, but not the label, and it's not true?

[@dane5896]

The 31 year old has recently been voted as the best single malt whisky in the world at this year’s World Whiskies Awards,

[@GlennForbes20]

Is the 13 year any good? It's very affordable.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . yes it's decent.

[@Jamie7]

Only culinary or any non-ceremonial grade of matcha tends to taste bitter, although the health benefits are exactly the same for every grade of matcha so ceremonial grade isn't really worth the extortionate price. I wouldn't imagine all of those poorer families in Japan really caring too much about the bitterness, mass marketing attempts to allude otherwise though. Good video ralfy!

[@mikefidler5959]

Working my way through a 17 now and its pretty special, 23 yo at 400 quid tho (4x the price of the 17....), i will pass on that. Its on buxton 101 3rd ed, reckon thats pushing up those prices

[@domanz1]

Call me crazy, but I consider ralfy family. In a good way, of course.

[@jvaahtera]

The travel retail special 19 year old Craigellachie is one of my favourite drams. Way better than the 13. Not tasted the17 though. I have a bottle open and one stashed for the future. It's that good... Cheers, Juha

[@jvaahtera]

I also found the 19 yo very affordable on some ferries crossing the Baltic Sea, around 70-80 euros if I recall correctly, and that was a 1 liter bottle. It's a dram that has a very summery feeling that I remember from my childhood. Walking in the sun-burned Finnish woods in July-August, spruces and pines, the smell of the ants nests, flowers, heather, ripe raspberries, bees and honey. A real journey into the past...my choice indeed.

[@jvaahtera]

In my childhood we used to poke a stick into an ants nest, let the ants walk through it and then smell and lick the stick after wiping off the ants from it. There's something similar in the smell and taste of Craigellachie. I have never found any other whisky come up with that strong ants nest smell and taste. Maybe just me. Citric acid...formic acid... But I reckon taste and smell has a lot to do with memory. And in this case the ants nest taste. I think there are very few among us who have tasted ants "pee". Some people may find it off-putting, but smell & taste is always subject to your experiences. To me it's a pleasant taste.

[@jvaahtera]

The 13 year old has the same honeyed and sweet long aftertaste as the 19 year old. But the 19 has that striking ants effect (that is completely lacking from the 13 yo) that I'm so attracted to. I think I'm going to grab a second stash bottle very soon as I'm going on a Baltic ferry on Friday (and maybe grab some Glengoyne - second favourite of mine - as well).

[@jvaahtera]

I have to add that other favourite of mine in roughly the same price class is Old Pulteney 17 yo.

[@ericgilbert8114]

All Craigellachie is Lovely stuff and reasonable....Well other the 23, mortgage payment is need for a bottle.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . true, I have no plans to review the 23 !

[@rainerbrunn-countrybluespi514]

its very expensive in the UK, over here in germany you can get it at 150euro which is still expensive, but I think it´s worth every euro.

[@MacMichael267]

ralfydotcom Well, actually you should try the 23yo, because it is outstanding.

[@southport65]

Rainer Brunn where in Germany can I get it for €150? I’d like to get a bottle.

[@JazznRealHipHop]

123Fritz I'm positive he's tried it, just won't review it cause it's not the most available to the majority of his audience. And you get the jest of the distillery through their lower age statement bottling's. Love the 13 and 17 myself

[@BruceinFalkirk]

250 ml dram? The glass only holds 200. I think you mean 25 ml. For a recommendation, can I suggest Old Ballantruan 10 year old? The NAS version is also very good. Both are bottled at 50%.

[@tweed532]

Hi, love the reviews, however news to me @ 3.10 into this review:-.... 'Standard , 250ml dram'...!!!!!!!. Ye gods, that'll soon finish the bottle off!! Summat to do with Brexit no doubt! Keep up the good work... ( Also an addict to you brothers channel BigClive)

[@benlocker4493]

Ralfy, I noticed with this review and your review of the 13yr Craigellachie, that you mentioned based on the appearance of the whisky, E150 caramel had likely not been added. I've seen this with a number of your reviews also. I ask, if indeed a whisky has not been coloured, why not say so on the label? The label is the contract after all. I know of many a whisky that states non-chill filtered and does not mention colour. Why do so many distilleries leave that to our interpretation. If no colour is added that is something to be proud of. My only thought is they want to have the option of adding colour to a batch if it comes out looking not to the standard. Still, it bothers me. As ALWAYS, love the reviews! Thanks Ralfy!

[@BruceinFalkirk]

It's unlikely that an unchilfiltered whisky, at 46%, is coloured but I think Jura does it, with the 'Prophecy '.

[@MichaelB33]

You yes you ralfy you are the man !!!!!!

[@notmedude]

How do I become a malt mentioner?

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . provide a malt-mention !

[@hoyethemphill2511]

ralfystuff Malty Mulligans?

[@notmedude]

ralfystuff how about a Balvenie Carribean cask 14 yo?

[@tbomber]

love the Caribbean cask!

[@RadioLaboratory]

wherz the "scotch mist" Ralfy?? not notisin it n th glas?

[@MarcusOfDeath]

Lovely review as always Ralfy - but after hearing your announcement for a 17 year old I hoped for Balvenie Double Wood :D have you come across this malt on your malty journey yet? A friendly "Prost!" froh Germany!

[@sehrajsinghvirk5273]

hello ralfy which 1 of these 2 is a better value for money (RELATIVELY;)) ) in your opinion if i am on budget but want to taste the exceptional stuff? 1.brora 26years 1981 signatory cask strength ..£883.43(delivery in u.s from TWE)WF Points 92 2.Port ellen 19years 1981 coopers choice (same price at TWE ) WF Points 93 note= i have tasted around 90 complex malts n m planning to buy these now 4 drinking later on

[@scotteff]

Best malt under £50 for a novice (beginner) ? Anyone feel free to suggest something

[@wp2746]

scotteff Dalwhinnie 15 year, it's smooth and mellow, and with better weather coming you will enjoy the fruity and floral aspects.

[@alexmahon3878]

Old Pulteney 12 year old, you can't go wrong.

[@jvaahtera]

Old Pulteney seconded.

[@danhammer106]

scotteff Pulteney's a good dram indeed, for more options I'd add: anCnoc 12, a nice all-rounder if you're not much into peat Caol Ila 12 if you are Aberlour 10, if you like your rum (gets along exceptionally well with pipe/mild cigar imho). Also might wanna check Ralfy's review #277.

[@macksloon3729]

how on earth can you possibly give this fine whisky an 87 but a trash whisky like the Balvenie 14 an 89? That makes absolutely no sense!

[@hoyethemphill2511]

Liked the 13 y.o. Version

[@kellyj5389]

Nice review

[@Kim_Rasmussen]

Whooo Pittsburgh! Go Steelers ;)

[@RebMordechaiReviews]

Ralfy. For a 17 YO this is quite expensive at around £100. All the reviews and online shops say that the 13 and 17 are matured in Ex-Bourbon American oak. You mentioned you tasted a sherry character to this. Many distilleries have started rejuvenating old casks by seasoning them in sherry but I don't think Craigelachie have done this. Inital research suggests refill Ex-bourbon casks.

[@RebMordechaiReviews]

After months of research and coming up blank except the fact that many reviewers talk of sherry notes, I wrote to Bacardi enquiring which type casks were used to mature this 17 YO and they flaty refused to answer me. My guess is they are using rejuvenated American oak Casks, seasoned with sherry. Either that or the dark red colour is coming from charred casks which I don't think is the case. I cannot understand why Bacardi is being so secretive about it.

[@jouinssanceleung6215]

@@RebMordechaiReviews really helpful information! thank you! it seems that most people assumed this bottle matured in sherry cask without searching relevant infomation

[@RebMordechaiReviews]

@@jouinssanceleung6215 Thanks. Why would most people assume they are Sherry casks when the Bacardi marketing "informs" you that they are matured in American Oak, which usually implies Ex-Bourbon matured? However, reading and watching all these reviews where they consistently talk about sherry influence, leads you to believe otherwise. (On the other hand, there might possibly be a case of copycat tasting notes which I have seen in the past. For instance, Ralfy starts talking about "Evergreen" and "Lapsang souchong" tea and all of sudden, five reviews mention Evergreen and Lapsang souchong!!! (I doubt if they even know what these things smell like? Cynical? Perhaps). Likewise, how many people have actually drank a proper sherry (and I'm not talking Harvey's Bristol Cream)? Knowing this, don't you think that companies telling you their whisky is matured in American Oak when in fact they are American Oak Sherry casks or Rejuvenated American Oak casks which have then been seasoned in sherry, is very deceptive!? Moreover, what would be the point of hiding the fact that they may have re-seasoned their casks? So what. Diageo does it. Edrington does it. They, however, don't hide the fact. That deep red liquid sure doesn't look like the effect of Ex-Bourbon or even heavily charred casks! I'll leave it at that.

[@geoffanderson3103]

Bring back the Quarter Gill none of this 250ml

[@mcep]

Shout out to Pittsburgh. :^)

[@kaiserhog]

SW Pennsylvania is whiskey rebellion country!

[@MrBeasled]

250ml dram? Get on it sir! haha

[@plm203]

Ralfy, you are mistaken on the mustard. Dijon mustard is smooth without whole seeds, they are strained. "Moutarde à l'ancienne" is the name for mustard with seeds in France. You may check here (or anywhere trustful) www.reinededijon.fr/flacons-25-g Reine de Dijon is one of the few traditional large scale mustard producers.

[@whiskyapocalypse8144]

These whiskies are lovely but way over priced considering the price of independent bottles.

[@wp2746]

Hello you mentionable malty mature mates, greetings from the Netherlands :)

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . now on the M-mention list, thanks !

[@swedishburrito5073]

👍🥃❤️

[@foxtenz6346]

Ja

[@cardcounter91]

first?

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . . Verified as First ! .

[@Tomislav_B.]

Fifth and a half!

[@jagsingh5652]

first

[@tcsarijit]

Fifth