Craigellachie 2007 Virgin Oak Finish

Craigellachie 2007 Virgin Oak Finish, 10 YO, 51.3 %

Craigellachie 2007 Virgin Oak Finish

OK then, here is the third release from independent bottler Selected Malts, Sweden. This Craigellachie 2007 Virgin Oak Finish was initially matured for a little over nine years in an ex-bourbon cask. Then it received a 7 month finish in what the guys call a very active 225 litre virgin oak cask with heavy char.

The Craigellachie 2007 Virgin Oak Finish was distilled on 2007-12-05, and bottled on 2018-05-01 with a total outturn of 401 bottles.

It is available to buy in Sweden at SEK 688 (8281402).

Nose: It walks and talks softly, this dram. Vanilla and mild notes of orchard fruits. The fruits are both fresh and of the type you get in tin cans. Notes of fresh oak, sawdust and cereal in the back. Is that a note of sour oak? With time it opens up - no more shyness and no more bitterness.

Taste: Full-bodied and rich. Salty and spicy right off, which then quickly gives way to a rather heavy, oaky sweetness. Honey, vanilla, ginger.

Finish: Medium long finish. The virgin oak is certainly making a lot of "noise", maybe a tad too much. Tons of sweetness here; marshmallows, vanilla, honey and hints of tropical fruits.

Comments: Craigellachie is fun. Independent bottlings are fun. Selected Malts continue their great run of young-ish whiskies at great prices.

Score (84/100)

Sláinte! - Thomas