Craigellachie 6 Year Old 2008 A.D. Rattray

This Craigellachie is only 6 years old. It matured on a sherry butt and was bottled at cask strength by independent bottler A.D. Rattray. Just to be on the safe side, I will keep water handy. And a spittoon as well. Because so far, I have not had a single young Craigellachie that I really enjoyed (bar one exception, a 9 Year Old 2002 Exclusive Cask by the Creative Whisky Company).

The nose is sweet and clearly young. I get hints of new make, but with a lot of caramel in the mix. The influence of the sherry cask is very limited, I think. I have hardly any fruit bar a single orange. Loads of grain, though. White bread on steroids. Adding water brings the new make more to the front.

It is creamy and very piquant on the palate. White pepper, cloves and liquorice. I dare not call this one fruity, for it is only malty and woody. Caramel and vanilla try to sweeten things up, but the tannins are a killjoy. Adding water does not add fruit. Well, maybe a lost apple.

Some citrus and pepper reappear in the medium long finish.

Too bad, but young Craigellachie is clearly not my thing. Lesson learned.

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