Whisky: Craigellachie 11 Year (2011) Cask 5646 The Exceptional Casks

Country/Region: Scotland/Speyside

ABV: 60.8%

Cask: Oloroso Sherry

Age: 11 Years (Distilled 14 Feb. 2014, Bottled 3 Oct. 2022)

Nose: Very sherried with bubbling pots of stewed plums and figs; more subtle layers of caramel, finished leather, cured meat, and struck match heads.

Palate: Medium-bodied, intense sherried fruits, stewed stone fruits with cinnamon and cloves, figs and chocolate, ribbons of salted caramel, flourless chocolate cake with raspberry jam; cracked peppercorn with a touch of cured meats and match heads at the end.

Finish:  Medium to long and slightly drying with fruit preserves, leather, and struck matches.

Score: 6+ (80)

Mental Image: Reviewing the Dessert Menu

Narrative & Notes: An intensely sherried affair, this Craigellachie was not playing around. The cask dominated affairs at first with tons of cask-driven fruits and spices, but elements of heavy, meaty spirit poked in around the edges. Despite the relatively high abv, the malt felt balanced and refined on the palate. A few drops of water brought out more fruit and sugary desserts, but it was hardly necessary.

Was the cask exceptional? I reckon it was definitely above average as it felt more mature than just 11 years, with good depth and structure.  There was more to it than just fruits, as some of those savory— almost sulfurous— elements provided complexity.

Overall, a tasty affair, though different from the sort of whisky I reach for very often.  Fans of the style will no doubt find more to love here than I did.