We’ve seen a few sherried Craigellachie’s over the last few outturns – this one is delivered au naturale from a 2nd fill ex-bourbon barrel. View on SMWS
Nose: Commencing in the orchard with fragrant pears and spiced apples. Vanilla ice cream is served on a sandalwood table alongside cream crackers, sunflower oil and honeysuckle. Running throughout – quite a whack of woodiness – oak furniture workshops, balsa constructions and corkboard. With water – hemp herbalness alongside lemongrass and sage seasoning.
Taste: A balance between sweetness and bitterness – sugar-coated peaches and pepper-spiced toffees fight against toasted bread, nut brittle and pokey, sappy oak. Reduced, this is much more my speed, a greater expression of stone and citrus fruits (apricots, lemons and limes) with freshly brewed tea and tingling white pepper.
Finish: Medium in length with chopped herbals and cough sweet syrupy menthol fading.
A gentle Speysider that favours herbalness as much as it does fruitiness. Too much overt oak for my liking, but this really does like water, offering both thought-provoking additions as well as enhanced balance.
Score: 80/100