Whisky Review: Craigellachie 2003 SMWS 44.110

Craigellachie 2003 SMWS 44.110 / 59.5% / ¥13,000

Tasted neat, then with some filtered water

This Craigellachie “Treasure Trove” is a 15 year old aged in a new oak hogshead, distilled 27 June 2003, and one of 317 bottles. It promises:

A boozy berry sauce was followed by a Muscat wine.
Water opened up a treasure trove of aromas.
Previously matured in an ex-bourbon hogshead.

Hang on — previously matured — so this is yet another cask finish, this time in virgin oak. Sneaky. The SMWS site offers a couple more details, namely that “After thirteen years in an ex-bourbon hogshead we transferred this whisky into a New Oak Hogshead / Heavy char #4+”.

• Color: chesnut (1.25)
• Nose: [muted] vanilla extract, pear, fried chicken; a bit of toluene and pineapple
• Taste: wild berry cobbler, ice cream, honey-glazed baked apples; oily jam and barbeque, thyme
• Finish: long and rich, not overly sweet; some oak and butter

This is really lovely, super fruity, and can take a solid amount of water without breaking down. I’d recommend you drink it neat, however, for maximum flavour.

Rating: 91/100