Craigellachie 13 Year Old Bas-Armagnac Cask Finish Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Number 20 in Whisky Advocate's Top 20 of 2022.

Inspired by the distillery's worm tubs, Craigellachie sourced casks from other producers of oak-aged spirits who employ similar tubs to make their liquid wares. The first in the Cask Finishing Collection is their award-winning 13 year old finished for around twelve months in Bas-Armagnac casks sourced from the northernmost part of Gascony, in France. It's considered a great alternative to sherried Craigellachie, the Armagnac finish bringing softness and roundness to the spirit without overpowering. 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

Other reviews... Master blender Stephanie Macleod is at it again with this sumptuous sipper, which is soft, sweet, and lovely. On the nose there’s apple pie, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, vanilla extract, and cookie dough wafting from the glass. There’s also a trace of earthiness, thanks to a clean grassy note and the slightest bit of salinity. The palate is well-spiced, honeyed, and full of vanilla sweetness, with some espresso and black pepper. A delightfully rich finish offers up a mouthful of baked apples and lingering spice. Top 20 of 2022 No.-20 whisky 93 points - whiskyadvocate.com

...I have to say I've never spotted any 'barrels' in Armagnac, they rather use +/-400 litre casks. Bah I suppose the words 'barrel/barrique' are been used rather liberally, no big problems with that. Colour: white wine. Nose: we're extremely close to the lovely 14 years old, with just a few raisins thrown in, but it never gets 'raisiny' as such. It is just a little sweeter/rounder, very moderately so. Orchard fruits and brioche, plus acacia and elder flower; what more does the people want? Mouth: the similarities are even more obvious, with this softer lemon, lemon tarte (with meringue please) and jut touches of tonic wine, with a faint fizzy/peppery aspect coming out after one minute. Finish: same. Lime juice and beer, I know some friends do enjoy that combination. They would usually add lemon syrup, or just lemonade (hence making a panaché). Comments: I'm not sure you could detect the armagnacness If you weren't in the loop from the beginning, but once again, it's an excellent drop. We should keep some to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the Ault Alliance. Yeah I know, that'll happen in 2095, but with advances in medicine, we could well make it… 85 points - whiskyfun.com