
November 4, 2016

Glenallachie vs. Craigellachie reloaded

Crikey! A few weeks ago, I had a Glenallachie to taste and couldn’t find any other yet-untasted Glenallachie in WF’s sample library, so I chose a Craigellachie as the sparring partner, just for rhyming purposes. Just a few days later, some newish Gordon & MacPhail came in, including… a Glenallachie and a Craigellachie! Timing is everything, do they say in drumming…

Glenallachie 1999/2015 (46%, Gordon & MacPhail, Connoisseurs Choice, refill bourbon)

Colour: white wine. Nose: typical easy fruity unsherried Speysider. Not a lot to say, except that it’s very nice, easy, and fruity. Apples, barley syrup, pear cake, cherries, light honey (acacia), and only a drop of custard… Mouth: simply very good, flawless, middle-aged Speysiders, with orchard fruits, sweet barley, and honey. All that is perfectly balanced, and I would happily have a few cls for breakfast. On weekends! Finish: a little short but clean, barleyish, and lightly honeyed. A limony side in the aftertaste, always welcome. Comments: this one doesn’t need a lot of literature, it’s all pleasure and simplicity, without the caramelly background that can be found in large –volume brands stemming from the same region. Why do you always need names? ;-) Excellent and recommended. SGP:541 - 85 points.

Craigellachie 1997/2014 (46%, Gordon & MacPhail, Connoisseurs Choice, refill bourbon)

Colour: pale white wine. Nose: it’s rather less immediate, and less fruity than the ‘achie, and rather more herbal and grassy, as well as slightly earthy. So a tad more ‘Highlands’, while the ‘achie was a notch more ‘Speyside’. Almonds, cut flowers, agaves, and a wee rooty side, which I always adore. Between turnips and gentian roots, I’d say. Mouth: its smoky and coastal, which suggests that the previous fill was some kind of Islayer. One cask is enough to impart this kind of smokiness, even in a rather large batch. Now do I like this? Sure I do, but the Glenallachie was more immaculate, and perhaps more terroiry (please don’t shoot). Finish: medium, smoky, with a little fried bacon. No good for our arteries… Comments: seriously, this is very good stuff again. Drinks very well, and it’s got these funny ‘asperities’. I still liked the Glenallachie a little better. SGP:452 - 84 points.

Pete McPeat and Jack Washback