Whisky : Craigellachie 20 Year SMWS 44.125 “El paraiso”

Country/Region : Scotland/Speyside

ABV : 57.4%

Cask : Refill Oloroso Sherry Butt

Age : 20 Years (Distilled 24 Aug. 1999)

Nose : Rich and spicy.  Heady waves of tobacco, leather, and powdered chocolate.  Sweet molasses and caramelized brown sugar with butter, dried candied fruits, and a delightful mix of fruit punch and sprite which I was told is called “sprunch.”  A few drops of water brought strawberry to the fore along with milk chocolate.

Palate : Thick and viscous, the initial impression was one of honey baked ham skin, pancake syrup, and old oak.  Chocolate emerged with fruits: orange candies, orange cocoa powder dusted truffles, and lemon-lime jellies.  Cinnamon, ginger, and baking spices came on the end while a few drops of water highlighted  tobacco and molasses.

Finish :  Nice and long with notes of citrus oil and chocolate.

Score : 7

Mental Image : Candlelight Soufflé

Notes :  This was a well integrated and mature Craigellachie.  The cask did not overwhelm the meaty-mineral quality of the spirit and a lovely diversity of fruit notes paired well with chocolate and spicy tobacco.  I do think I prefer my scotch a bit younger and punchier, but this was absolutely lovely.  There were no strange off notes on this and the viscosity of the spirit was wonderfully mouth-coating.  I do wish some of those meatier notes that hit right at the outset hung around a bit longer, but waves of sweet spice and caramelized sugars were a crowd pleaser.

Overall a pleasant and well balanced Craigellachie with plenty of nuance.  If I am drinking an older sherried scotch, I want it to be somewhere in the neighborhood of this.