Craigellachie 15 Years Old 1999 44.63 Zesty, zingy and alive (55.4%, SMWS, Refill Butt, 261 Bottles, 2014)

• Speyside single malt scotch whisky
• 55.4% ABV, £49.20
• Score: 86/100

What they say:

Cask 44.63

Colour: Pale straw

Flavour: Light & delicate

The nose was attractively light, citric and biscuity (vanilla, iced gems, creme Anglaise, cherry cola, stewed apricots); some panellists detected deeper notes of sawdust, pepper and earthy elements. With water it seemed even fresher, softer and sweeter – almost floral now (rainbow drops, Dolly mixtures, lemon Edinburgh rock, honeycomb, pear orchards and grass). The palate core contained a pleasant sweetness, but with a zesty side – lemon Creamola Foam, strawberry compote, sherbet, sweet pear and sweet chilli sauce. Green grass and laundry suggested freshness and the mouth-feel was youthful, zingy and lively; acceptable chilli heat and some citric bitterness dried out the finish.

Drinking tip: A picnic aperitif dram. 15 Years Old, Distilled 24/08/1999 , Refill Butt, 261 bottle outturn.

What I say:

Dram # 3 from SMWS The Vaults New List Steak & Chips Tasting held by Ryan McCafferty on 3rd February 2015. This one was a shade darker than the others, perhaps suggesting a greater age or differing cask type?

Colour:

Full amber gold (10/20), medium tears with fine trails

Nose:

Caramel, toffee, heather blossom honey, figs, sweet, vanilla cream, white wine vinegar, dusty, coconut, cereal grist, fruity, pear, melon and peach (peach melba)

Taste:

Creamy and buttery, butterscotch, fudge, caramac bars, black pepper spice, waxy and oily, mouthcoating, candlewax, pez sweets – dusty/chalky and fruity with hints of sherbet fizz, calcium/bath salts? With water became smoother, creamier and more toffee’d

Finish:

Relaxed, floral and sweet, caramel oak, honey and Murray Mints (butterscotch toffee and mint/menthol)

Overall:

A couple of key flavours in here suggested the use of a Sherry cask to me though refill definitely due to the light colour and delicate nature of the flavours (plus lack of some other key ‘Sherry’ signature flavours). The result was a 15 Years Old Craigellachie (SMWS distillery #44) from Speyside