While Craigellachie exists in the Speyside region of Scotland, the distillery has long been proud of forging its own style that doesn’t always match up with its neighbors, whether that means using heritage equipment from a bygone era or adding a new twist to the production process. A new entrant into distillery’s core line of offerings, the Craigellachie Bas-Armagnac takes the distillery’s core 13 year single malt and finishes it for over a year in casks from Gascony that once held Bas-Armagnac. Translated as Lower Armagnac, it is a region in southwestern France along the border with Spain. Grapes grown in this region are blended into a specific style of brandy that uses column stills in the distillation rather than the pot stills often used in cognac production. The Bas-Armagnac region accounts for about 60% of all Armagnac production.
Distillery: Craigellachie
Region: Speyside
Age: 13 years
Strength: 46%
Price: $65.99
Maturation: ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, finished in Bas-Armagnac barrels
Location: Craigellachie
Nose: Sweet tarts, candy, apple, apricot, vanilla, sugar, pear, smoke, citrus, leather, butterscotch
Palate: Apple, nutmeg, vanilla
Finish: Green pepper, cinnamon
Comments: Water is not needed and can dilute some of the nose.
Adam – I’m taken immediately by how fruity the Craigellachie Bas-Armagnac is on the nose, pear and leather and apple. I’m a little caught off guard by how astringent this is right on the palate but it transitions into more fruit and vanilla and spices before settling into a bright and fresh finish. Green Pepper is not a note I often get with whiskies but there is a dash of this on the finish. Huh. This drinks very different than I remember the regular 13 year being but not in a bad way. Would be phenomenal in the summer, I bet. Vegetal and spicy, this scotch has layers and subtle complexity. Pay attention, and this one will reward your focus.
Henry – A sweet and light nose of candied apricot, sweet apple, and vanilla turns on a dime on the palate, introducing savory vegetal and green pepper notes, a dash of nutmeg, and a smoky undertone. Finish is light, with almost evanescent spice – blink and it’s gone – and plays off the smoke, which lingers. Overall, the cask influence is subtle, but subtlety can be a good thing. Here, it’s a very good thing.
Ben – It’s not like it’s smoked but it has the story of smoke. When I was a kid, my father’s best friend owned a non-alcoholic wine company. Ariel, I think it was? The Craigellachie Bas-Armagnac reminds me of that in some way; wine without being actual wine.
It’s not like it’s smoked but it has the story of smoke.
Bill – There’s almost a little wasabi or horseradish on the finish. Not exactly but in that realm. It’s balanced by the sweet. I like the oiliness here. The Craigellachie Bas-Armagnac coats and clings in all the right ways. It hangs around and makes your mouth really happy.
Mike – I really like the Craigellachie Bas-Armagnac. It was very different than what I’m used to. There’s a sweetness that turns into green pepper. It’s a fresh pepper corn sort of transition that I do enjoy. The nose on it is sweet tarts and candy.
Evelyn – Baking spices on the nose. Warmer and spicier after a while but still hot. Reminds me of a bourbon. Bourbon-esque.
Sam – It’s a little hot on the palate at first. There’s a bitter aftertaste. Reminds me of a horse tack room and saddle soap. Really great scotch. Would drink again.
