ralfy review 1007 - Craigellachie 13yo Armagnac finish @46%vol:
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ธ.ค. 2023
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What a coincidence, I have a glass of this in front of me now 👍
I’m thoroughly enjoying this one, Ralfy. Very well made, very flavoursome, and no alcohol burn. Great stuff! 👌🏻
Love the Craigellachie and managed to get a taste of the 37 year old at this year’s Whisky Fringe. It wasn’t up for tasting but when I told the guy it was my birthday he produced a bottle from his back pocket. It is a belter of a dram but I couldn’t justify buying a bottle.
With the highest respect to Ralfy, who has educated me a great deal on this subject, I don't see very much difference between the opinion that quality spirits are wasted in cocktails and that quality steak is wasted in a meal where it is seasoned and plated with other food.
I teach wine and spirit classes for a job, and every now and then a mixology class. What I always stress is that if you are out to make a quality cocktail, don't put a whiskey (or tequila, rum, etc.) inside that you wouldn't sip on its own.
Some cocktails are mostly liquor….there you have a point. But most aren’t, and I cannot tell the difference when only 20% of the drink is liquor.
Cocktails were invented to mask the flavor of cheap booze. Any liquor that's good enough to sip on its own doesn't require additional flavoring or dilution. Just saying.
Gentle roly roly, no shakey shakey!
I've always picked up a note of nutmeg on Craigallechie 13. A unique, complex, completely enjoyable dram meant to be savored. One of my favorites!
Yeah I really do like Craigellachie. Feel its definitely one thats overlooked (which is good for the rest of us 😉). An armagnac finish sounds really interesting.
Well done Ralfy. Need to get hold of a bottle. Craigellachie is an interesting distillery that is not on everyone's list. Cheerio from Germany
I love this whisky. It's this one, Ledaig 10 and Kilkerran. They are not over priced either.
Thanks Ralfy, for introducing me to this excellent whisky. Just tasted my first dram. Excellent experience on my Whisky journey.
Ralfy strikes again! Saw this at Total Wine and the price seemed on the high end at 79.99 USD, but I trusted my Whiskey Journey Sheppard and went for it and I was not disappointed! The fruit really comes in the arrival, I had that chimney soot note show up more than i was expecting, which was most welcome. The subtleness of the Armagnac reveals itself as the dram progressed...this one is a banger! I also did an A & B with the regular 13 to tease out the differences between the two...let's hope Bacardi continues to "just let them get on with it!" Cheers Malt Mates!
Cheers!
After your latest review of Craigellachie 17 I acquired the 13 and this Bas-Armagnac variety and I was not disappointed at all. I lost interest in the Speyside a little bit but this was a very pleasant surprise. A big malty heart and a full-flavored finish. Delicious and well made.
I love it and honestly; I wonder why I’ve never had it before.
Thanks for the suggestion, it’s much appreciated.
Well done Ralfy!
I sipped along on this one and agree with all the tasting notes, even the hint of thyme. I look forward to the extras.
Do you remember the days when, in Scotland at least, anyone offering you a good dram would say "would you like a wee sensation"? They weren't offering you some kind of kinky experience with your dram; rather they were acknowledging that a good dram went beyond just flavour. It extended to the warmth, to the " aahhh..." factor, to the wonderful feeling of wellness and regeneration that a good malt brings. The internal hug and embrace. The tingle all the way to the toes. And...I'll stop there. It would be good to know the sensation (beyond those of taste on the tongue) that whiskies instil in your Celtic bosom. Don't be shy, don't hang back...tell us what you FEEL, Ralfy! (It'll go down big in California). Give us a SENSATION mark, and not just a,malt mark.
Was talking to a bloke in the supermarket. Gave him the benefit of my knowledge (Ralfy who..... ) After he picked an integrity bottle up.....he said "Bet it goes great with Cola."
I mean, I ask ye!! Did me with the score at the end. I was thinking it's 88.....then the last compliment I changed my bet to 91.......
Great stuff as ever Ralfy!!
Quality all the way there Ralfy - glad you enjoyed it 😺😺. I'll start my letter to Santa straight away 🎅💌🥃! 😆😆
Excellent informative review of an old trusty malt Ralfy. I had to reacquaint myself with Craigellachie 13 as the last bottle was emptied well over a year ago. I had a hunch of your upcoming video, nudge nudge, wink wink so I went out and got 2 bottles of Craigellachie 13. Incredible value in a 13 year old single malt, heck even 17 is a great value the way things are at present and the way they are going.
Totally agree Ralfy! This one is really special and one of my absolute favourites. Great cask management with a rather cask.
Amazing how the flavors you’re calling out with the 13 and the 17 year must definitely be the profile if the brand. I’m an experienced whisky drinker but have never had this distillery before tonight. I bought a bottle of 23 year Exceptional Cask Series, 55.1% abv, oloroso finished, and it’s knocking my socks off! Even at 23 years, I’m tasting the grilled pineapple, musty apples, wintergreen, and all the other good stuff. Absolutely marvelous!
Ralfy I'm from the same generation as you and our paths may have crossed in Glasgow back then but to truly enjoy my evening dram I am fortunate to sip it from an 18thc silver quaich and think to how whisky was once once taken. I have a Glencairn glass,but Ralfy, try a quaich and I'd be pleased to hear and see your opinion.
Grilled pickles? Ha! I have never heard of grilled pickles before. Perhaps I’m missing out. Anyway, this sounds like a complex product. Based upon your review, I will plan to try it. Thanks!
I took a flier on this about 2 months ago when I saw it at my local store. Basically the finish intrigued me in addition to my high regard for Craigellachie. A very interesting whisky quality throughout
Will be purchasing a bottle of the regular Craigellachie at my local shop, $49 here in Toledo Ohio
I was gifted a bottle of this for Christmas. I'm looking forward to trying it.
Looking forward to trying this one.
thank you sir its always nice to see your reviews they so useful, cheers
Big fan of any Craigellachie
@7:40 - sorry Ralfy but actually the opposite is generally true - worm tubs actually ensure the new make spirit has LESS copper contact than ‘shell and tube’ condensers, resulting in fewer of the heavier sulphur compounds being removed. This results in the meatier, savoury flavours that these distilleries are looking for. This can be explained by the fact the cold water the worm tubs are submerged in cause the vapour to condense fairly rapidly, leading to less copper contact.
That said, if the water is kept warmer, this conversion from vapour to liquid is slowed down, resulting in more extraction of the heavier compounds by the copper.
Delicious thanks for an excellent review dear Ralfy. Kindest regards, S.
I really hoped you are going to review it beginning of the next year. Since you first mentioned it I was trying to get it on discount but it’s still not the case and number of places selling it is shrinking. I have to place an order asap 😄
Hi Ralfy, mace is the husk of the nutmeg kernel. Cassis is blackcurrant liqueur.
Hence your noting mace and nutmeg could be one and the same.
A great review nonetheless. Well done, I won’t get a bottle cause can’t afford it on my pension incomes.
Nick from York
I think Cassia is where his pallet was going. Its the less precious and more available, thicker bark which is used instead of true, fine cinnamon in most cases.
@@Tasmanian. Agreed, 100% he meant cassia. It happens to be the more familiar "cinnamon" in baked goods that most of us are familiar with. I have both at home and I'll say that the true Ceylon cinnamon is a bit overwhelming to me, a bit too perfume-y. Cassia, to me, is apple pie or oatmeal cookies.
Good point about mace and nutmeg being related, but there's still a finer profile to mace vs. nutmeg, IMHO.
Come in Ralfy… if cocktails are made with quality spirits it definitely comes through in the final product… ever tried a cs bunnah 12 in an old fashioned? It’s super decadent … or a port charlotte 10 as the base of a whisky sour? Such a revelation and new flavor unlocked… 😎
I was just about to go into the dungeon to do an inspection of my winter stores and found a bottle of 25 year old Glen farclas I got for Christmas a few years ago .So I looked up the price at the LCBO today and almost dropped the phone .What on the world is going on with scotch .Double the price ????That is insane .I know the LCBO is ripping Ontarians off but this is beyond taxation alone ..Well I will have to have a reason to open that one
You must've got it quite a few years ago, if you think it's doubled. It's gone from $260 which I paid to $340 in just over 2 years. Check Macallan 18 Sherry, it went from around $500 to $845 CAD now. The employee told me that it got a bump of $300+ CAD. That is what I call insane.
I like minty malts i find highland park 12 and the humble chevis Regale minty toffee. And hazelburn one of my favourites.
Just ordered a bottle on Amazon of all places!! Great selection of whisky on their website.
I’m assuming you have to be there to accept liquor from Amazon delivery.
@@francisoconnor2392 Yes that's true. Someone over 18. To be honest I'm quite impressed with both the price and selection of whisky available. It wipes the floor with any supermarket or off licence. With Amazon delivery tracking details you actually know both the day and roughly the time your delivery will arrive. A five star service in my experience. I will certainly be ordering again on their website.
I haven't had any Craigallachie so far, everyone seems to like it so I'm eager to try it. Love the unusual age statements by the way.
A malt mention for you, if you will: Massive monstrous mastodons
I just picked up a bottle of the normal 13. Won’t blow you away but it is hard to think of a better deal at the price, at least here in the states. It’s apparently used to make Dewars and it does kinda feel like a luxurious version of basic blends: spirit driven in a way that highlights the great flavors of a malt instead of finding ways to hide them.
I would say Ralfy’s apple note is on point; I have a bottle of cask strength American apple brandy and there is definitely some overlap - must have some of the same organic compounds!
Got my first bottle of the 13yr circa 10 yrs ago when M&S were clearing their shelves and paid £32. What a bargain! Had many bottles of 13yr since (circa two per year) and looking forwards to the Armagnac which is out for delivery as I write. Never had a bad bottle of 13 over that time and is in my top three Speyside's along with Glenfarclas 15 and Benromach 12 cask strength. I am just glad to be able to rely on the consistent quality of all three. I have taken a punt on unknown (not reviewed by Ralfy) whiskies that were just as expensive and mostly been disappointed.
OK...just had my first dram of the Armagnac. WOW! Scotch mist...check, just like the regular 13. I always gift myself with some (hopefully) good whiskies after a long years hard work at Christmas. So in context with Benromach 12 cask strength, Machrie Moor cask strength, Mortlach 11yr Signatory, just like you recommended in your other recent video. All are great and I am not disappointed by any. But the Armagnac IMO is the best of the bunch, with the Mortlach 2nd, followed by the Benromach.
Tolles Video
Toller Whisky
Danke
I am a big fan of the 13 year old but have yet to find a bottle of this one. On my list.
One of my favorites.
It is much lighter color than the standard 13. Looks it was matured for a long time in the Armagnac casks than in the first fill bourbon casks.
I own a bottle of this Craigellachie and I absolutely love it. FYI, the “s” in BAS is silent. It just means LOWER Armagnac with reference to the southern area of that region in France
nice video again Ralfy, much appreciated. is it possible to do a 90+ MaltMark bottle review (within a reasonable price range). it has been some time, I think the Bunnah 12CS was the last one with a 90??
Did you ever try Bad Na H-Achlaise Single Malt? I found it quite delicous! Just wondered if you ever had it. Thanks for the review!
It's a fantastic Whisky. For those looking for SB10 and can't find it. This will do you well has a substitute. Just saying.
I don't recall you mentioning other possible forms of filtration available to distillers/bottlers, odd to imagine, as must happen now, that any and all of them marking "non-chill filtered" are being less than honest about exactly what sort of filtering they are performing. It would take frank admission from an employee actually doing or observing the actions for us to truly know what's going into the bottles. Across the industry, 20 dollar bottle or 4,000.
You just can't stop sipping Craigeallachie one you start it. That's it. Under 50 loyal hero. Let's keep it that way.
A bit light for my taste, but I can se how Irish whiskey fans would like it.
Hi Ralfy what’s the situation of Armagnac casks used to mature whisky? Are these real casks that used to bottle Armagnac or are those seasoned like sherry casks?
Cox orange pippin is not a russeted apple. Maybe you’re thinking of Ashmead’s Kernel?
Have you visited the Isle of Man Manx Distillery Ralfy? First whisky due out very soon.
Do they only sell in primary numbered years? Why?
Coxs Orange Pippins indeed!🍏
Here here!
Second year i buy a bottle of 13 years old Craigellachie, my winter spring bottle buy. I will buy this everytime it shows up. Supermarket in germany have good deals siper markets hallo?
I'd like to know the most bitter malt or a few that are known to be bitter.
Try balblair 12 if you have access to it. A really nice bitterness to it and not too overpriced.
@@danleonard3600 thank you dan I tried it in a restaurant a few years ago I'll try it again. 🙏
86 ;;; got it right ;;;
No thumbs up button so I’ll leave it here. 👍🏻
Cassia = Cinnamon. Cassis = Blackcurrant. Just saying.
I know he knows this, been watching him for years. Slip of the tongue.
😁
Still having the odd cigar?
Ralfy! jeez louise. Cockails arent the same as they were in the 80s. Quality makes quality. Why cant vermouth, whisky and bitters come together beautifully? Scotch belnds together well with bourbon, sherry and clean water. Why cant it with other similar ingredients? I think you would be surprised at the quality of cocktails in specialy bars now adays.
Cocktails are typically overtly sweet today. That’s the main stopgap they use and you won’t see even the martinis of old… no they’re all fruity and sweet now. Only a few few bars seem to serve quality, but they definitely charge a premium for it above the value of the ingredients on their own.
ralfy's ego has become inflated. unsubscribe.
Its not a popular whiskey in my area and im glad for that so the price don't jump more. Most people can't pronounce it like Glenmorangie, so they stay away and don't ask questions. My whiskey journey is so fun. Just learning some of the gaelic is worth it! I've been here for awhile but even just last week I learned the gaelic in america is not pronounced properly. My whole life I heard "Gay-Lick", is that acceptable or is it really gaalick? I would appreciate an answer from anyone, thank you❤
It is usually Irish "gay-lik" and Scottish "gaah-lik".
@@billlennox3636 Wow, thanks.
😮 I always THOUGHT that "Gay-lick" is a most popular kind of communication between top POLITICS and their biggest sponsorsssss😅😅😅😅😅