The Craigellachie 23 Years is part of the 2014 core range makeover (see my post on the Craigellachie 17 Years). It was the oldest expression until the long overdue 31 Years came out recently.
Craigellachie 23 yo (46%, OB 2014)
Nose: a bit funky unique, very fatty and old-style. Buttercups and other meadow flowers, hints of honey and subtle fruits like melons, kiwi and overripe pineapple. Brass polish. Hints of tobacco. Toasted oak. Seems like a 1970s distillate, not 1990s – very good.
Mouth: again very oily, with hints of waxed papers, wet oak as well as a herbal bitter edge. A vague fruity sweetness (honeyed pear). Peppered grapefruit. Nutmeg. There’s a light sulphury touch in the background but it fits this style. Orange zest. A hint of wet cardboard, but again, it fits this type of dram.
Finish: rather long, on old wood, ashes and sweet clove.
A nice surprise, it’s great to see this old style in a modern release. Pricing is crazy: I can still get this for € 200-220, which seems reasonable, but in the UK you’re paying around € 450. Thanks for the sample, Derek.
Score: 90/100