I always have time for this Speysider – this example was distilled in February 2007 and matured in a refill ex-bourbon barrel. Sweet & spicy profile.
Nose: Immediately floral with honeysuckle, sunflowers and cedarwood. This is supported by a lovely vein of tropical fruits – pineapple and guava – alongside desiccated coconut, barley sugar and lemon zest. Dilution increased the fruitiness even further with tangerines, and Seville oranges as well as introducing a slight steeliness.
Taste: A bold arrival that’s true to its 60%+ ABV. Jolly Rancher sweets, grapefruit, lime (margaritas) and orange zest sit alongside pronounced florals – lavender, cotton and verbena. The mid-back palate delivers both ginger spicing and menthol – becoming increasingly drying as it develops. The addition of water emphasises tannic fruit tea, chocolate and bitter toffee.
Finish: Quite long, with tart lemon and cough syrup medicinalness.
Intriguing Craigellachie that develops in the glass. It’s well worth both resting and playing with dilution with this one. A thinking dram as well as a drinking dram. Just a touch too tannic and drying to reach the upper echelons, but still worth your time.