
August 29, 2016

Young Craigellachie and Glenallachie

Not sure this session will make any sense, but I thought trying a young Craigellachie and a young Glenallachie together would be funny, since both distilleries share similar names. I mean, seen from Alsace, after all they both end with ‘llachie’ (new lows, S., new lows…) Oh well, let’s just try them…

Glenallachie 7 yo 2008/2016 (46%, Hunter Laing, Hepburn’s Choice, refill sherry hogshead, 301 bottles)

Colour: dark gold. Nose: a dry and walnutty sherry kicks in first, with some tobacco and a little leather as well as an earthy touch, then we rather find raisins and dried dates filled with marzipan. I cannot see who would be against this. Mouth: creamy, starting sweeter, quite rich yet not fat, with rather more spices and bitter oranges, then walnut wine, more leather, and more tobacco. There’s quite some nutmeg and cinnamon cake (have to try to bake that one day). Finish: medium, with a pleasant feeling of café latte and even mocha, and rather pepper in the aftertaste while the coffee never quite gave up. Comments: everything works, with a sherry that manages to make this baby taste rather older than it is. SGP:451 - 85 points.

Craigellachie 9 yo 2006/2016 (57%, Carn Mor, Celebration of The Cask for The Whisky Shop Dufftown, 10th Anniversary, bourbon, cask #9006914)

Colour: straw. Nose: a few spirity notes flying around at first nosing (plum eau-de-vie), but a grassy maltiness is soon to kick in and to put things straight. A little leather too, then fruit peelings. Melons, apples… With water: more raw malt, muesli, and even a little chalk. A lot of barley, which we just cannot not enjoy. Mouth (neat): bonbons and jelly babies, all flavours included, from grapefruit to pineapple via blackcurrant. It’s a little ‘spritzig’ as well, but that’s not unpleasant. Also rhubarb, lemon, and kiwi. With water: lemon squash sweetened with agave syrup and honey, plus a dash of white pepper. Finish: medium, fresh and fruity. A western orchard in June rather than in July or August. The malted barley is back in the aftertaste. Comments: both whiskies were very different, but quality levels were totally similar. Let’s not try to be smart, same very good score. SGP:641 - 85 points.