Whisky Review/Tasting: Craigellachie 9 Years 2008 Signatory

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: Craigellachie Distillery, Scotland.
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
Distillation Date: June 20th, 2008.
Bottling Date: February 21st, 2018.
Age Statement: 9 years.
Maturation: Matured in Bourbon barrels, specifically casks numbers 800.093 and 800.094.
ABV: 43%, chill-filtered.
Color: Dark for its age, indicating a rich extraction from the bourbon barrels.
Bottle Design: The packaging has evolved from a metal tin with copper linings to a more standard tube with a metal lid, maintaining a traditional aesthetic.

Initial Flavor: Sweetness that quickly dissipates, giving way to floral notes.
Mid-Palate: A transition to a light citrus peel note, more aromatic than direct citrus flavors.
Texture: Starts oily, then a pronounced oakiness with a spicy character emerges, without bitterness.
Finish: Long-lasting with the sweetness fading, leaving behind floral and aromatic notes on the palate.

Independent Bottling: This whisky is part of a special range by Signatory Vintage, an independent bottler known for its non-chill-filtered, carefully selected casks.
Warehouse Expansion: Signatory Vintage has recently doubled its warehouse capacity at the Edradour Distillery, indicating a significant investment in maturing stocks.
Cask Selection: The use of consecutive cask numbers suggests a large-scale procurement of barrels directly from the distillery, emphasizing the bottler's commitment to capturing the essence of Craigellachie.

Distillery Background: Craigellachie was historically part of Whitehorse Distillers, known for producing blends including peated whiskies. While Craigellachie typically does not feature smoke in its profile, its inclusion in such blends hints at its versatility and historical significance in Scotch whisky blending traditions.

"Wonderful piece of work for that money. I would prefer this one against most of the available blends in the supermarkets." - Ars Luening, highlighting the exceptional value and quality of this whisky.
"It's really affordable for an uncolored whisky. Nine years of age. Single malt whisky." - Emphasizing the whisky's affordability and purity.

Craigellachie 9 Years 2008 by Signatory Vintage is a single malt Scotch whisky, matured in bourbon barrels, offering a rich, dark color for its age.
The flavor profile transitions from initial sweetness to floral and citrus peel notes, with a significant oakiness and spice mid-palate, leading to a long-lasting finish.
This release showcases the capabilities of Signatory Vintage as an independent bottler, with a focus on non-chill-filtered whiskies and a recent expansion in warehousing.
The whisky represents excellent value, providing a high-quality single malt experience at an affordable price point, making it a preferable choice over many supermarket blends.

Whisky Enthusiasts: Those interested in exploring the nuances of independent bottlings and the impact of bourbon barrel maturation on Scotch whisky.
Budget-Conscious Consumers: Individuals seeking high-quality single malt experiences without the premium price tag.
Newcomers to Scotch: This whisky's approachable flavor profile and lack of overwhelming smoke make it an excellent introduction to single malts.