Craigellachie 10 Year – Single Cask Nation

Power Flavors for the Hedonist in Cocktails (BOOM!) or After Dinner

Whisky Reviewed: Craigellachie 10 Year – Single Cask Nation Bottling
Distiller: Craigellachie
Region: Speyside
ABV: 67.3%
Suggested Retail Price: $125

Mark’s Review

To paraphrase a mid-20th Century joke: Do you have Sir Walter Raleigh in a scotch bottle? Well, let him out! That happened the instant I poured a spot of this beauty. Sweet Virginia tobacco and pineapple phenol smells freed themselves from captivity. The aromas transited my nose into the sinuses with ferocity and lodged there awaiting sip’s first release. The palate matched the scents and was hot as expected given the ABV.

Still, unlike many Craigellachie offerings, this had little sulfuric bitterness. But after a few seconds . . . BAM!! a ginormous never-ending peated mouthfeel emerged. Each of my nearby sidekicks did double takes. I offered that it equaled being on the receiving end of a Mike Tyson KO punch AFTER you stole his tiger! Adding water unleashed strong robusto qualities to further the heat.

This whisky is for the Hedonistic Power Lover who craves a smack upside the head. Try this in a cocktail. Don stated this was a “one and done” Rob Roy! Otherwise find a La Bomba Warhead II stogie. Cigar Advisor calls it a smoke that “pummels you like an undercover drug narc at a Hells Angels rally”. Craigellachie 10 is a perfect match for it. The combo will kick your ass so hard it needs a warning label.

Mark Garbin’s Evaluation

Aromas & Flavor Appeals to: Optimal Client Type Great For:
Subtlety Aficionado Apprentice Cocktails
Power Flavor Admirer Enthusiast Neat Before Dinner
Balanced Devotee Adventurer With Food
Chameleon Lover Hedonist Dessert or After Meal Cigar

Whisky Intelligence: This cask bottling, distilled in May 2008, spent ten years maturing in a refill bourbon hogshead. It was bottled at cask strength in May 2018 at a whopping 67.3% ABV! Cask #900305 yielded 288 bottles.

Long and warming with lingering barrel char, dark chocolate with sea salt, more confectioner’s sugar, and damp oak. Known for it’s typically heavy style of whisky, this Craigellachie falls right into line. Its departure, however, is in the heavily peated character of this spirit. Dank and pungent with earthy smoke, however, don’t fret, rich fruits, an oily mouthfeel, and a bread-like malty backbone remain.

Mark Garbin: Mark Garbin is more than his career as a financial asset risk expert might suggest. He’s a five-star novelist, former radio DJ, past bartender and constant whisky connoisseur. He's always on the lookout for outstanding spirits and the most alluring bars. His current book, "Whisky and Romance Manhattan" is also 5-star Amazon rated. For decades he’s tasted thousands of whiskies, lived overseas and visited hundreds of places around the world. He’s a whisky omnivore from single malts, to ryes, bourbons, gins and tequilas and is now thrilled to share his experiences with you. For a free e-book of reviews, join his list at www.tinyurl.com/Drammers-Craigellachie or send an email for feedback (LOVE IT!) at whiskeyevents@outlook.com