
September 25, 2026

WF's Little Duos,
today Craigellachie

No official this time, but the independents are always interesting, aren’t they…

Craigellachie 18 yo 2005/2024 (54.4%, Artful Dodger Whisky Collective, bourbon hogshead, cask #315075, 330 bottles)

Colour: white wine. Nose: the classic profile, grass, grist, chalk, lemon, green apple, barley and tutti frutti eau-de-vie. Not exactly original, but it’s precise and lovely. With water: chalk, clay and crushed slate take the lead. We rather like this. Mouth (neat): little fruit sweets, green tea, white pepper, and once again that rather chalky side. Lovely texture. With water: a few little peppermint leaves are coming through, but green apple rules the roost. Finish: fairly long, lively, grassy, but not without a slightly oily side, certainly quite textured... Comments: there are probably millions of casks like this in Scotland, so millions of very good casks. But are there millions of enthusiasts for this slightly austere style? In any case there’s one, me.
SGP:561 - 85 points.

Let’s try an older version…

Craigellachie 31 yo 1994/2026 (53.1%, The Antelope, refill hogshead, cask #8001068, 98 bottles)

And here we are back in Macau. Colour: gold. Nose: we find a similar profile in terms of balance, but everything is riper, the fruits are candied, the apples slightly bruised (those are the best), and there’s a very lovely Belgian beer side, Trappist-style. Amen. There are also toasted hazelnuts, and even pistachio and milk chocolate, but without drifting into Dubai chocolate madness, very 2022. With water: it’s chalk and slate that are elbowing their way to the front. Mouth (neat): really excellent, with the Belgian beer returning, served with lemon syrup (yes, yes, it is done) and an oily side that’s even more pronounced than in the 18 yo. Very lovely notes of greengages and citron. With water: really excellent. Milk chocolate filled with orange. And shall we dare mention Dubai chocolate again? Finish: medium in length, with a surprising camphory, eucalyptus-like touch, almost medicinal. Comments: really excellent, one of the finest Craigellachies of recent times. A shame there were only 98 bottles, are there any left?
SGP:551 - 89 points.

Check the index of all Craigellachie we've tasted

WF's Little Duos, today Craigellachie

WF's Little Duos,
today Craigellachie