Craigellachie 16 (1980) Cadenhead’s

Review by: Raygun

An old Cadenhead’s green bottle up this time. Craigellachie is part of the Bacardi/Dewar’s group and is known for worm tubs that provide a somewhat sulfury, meaty character. It’s in Speyside, but this label says Highland. Cadenhead’s has provided no information on the cask, but definitely seems to be bourbon, probably refill. Reviewed from a sample. Rested about 20 minutes.

Distillery: Craigellachie

Bottler: Cadenhead’s   

Region/style: Speyside (though the label says Highland) single malt Scotch

ABV: 60.4%

Age: 16 years old. Distilled in June 1980 and bottled in June 1997.      

Cask type: Unknown, but looks like bourbon  

Color: 0.3 pale gold. Natural color and non-chill-filtered.

Nose: Worm tubs at work. It’s rather dirty and industrial right away. Sulfur, yellow cake, lemon, and guava. An interesting mix.                            

Palate: Richer than the nose. Caramel made in a machine shop. Vanilla pannacotta with some lemon. It’s all got that dirty, industrial grime to it. Sweeter with water, turning to lemon bars with a cake base.         

Finish: Drinks lower than its proof. Wafer cookies, caramel, guava, and some pear joining the lemony flavor. Yes, more industrial grime. Gunpowder sort of sulfur.   

Conclusion: Definitely brings the industrial, grimy character, though I wouldn’t call it meaty. It ends up pretty sweet and desserty, with plenty of cake, caramel, and lemon. Not as fiery as might be expected, but I think it does benefit from some water. I wouldn’t call it amazing, as I’ve heard some of these green bottles are. More in the neighborhood of solid. I wouldn’t pay the going rate.stry aspect. Thorougly enjoyable, and now it seems I need to keep an eye out for more bourbon-aged Tobermory.

Score: 82

Scoring Legend:

  • 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky. (Convalmore 36)
  • 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category. (Bruichladdich Black Art 4.1)
  • 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram. (Ledaig 13 Amontillado)
  • 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff. (Tomatin 18)
  • 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting. (Glen Scotia 15)
  • 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better. (Aultmore 12)
  • 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink. (Glenmorangie 10)
  • 50-59: Save it for mixing. (Old Pulteney 12)
  • 0-49: Blech. (Muirhead’s Silver Seal 16)

Published by Raygun

Unknown's avatar

I drank Scotch occasionally (mostly at family gatherings) for years, but started getting more interested after an introduction and tasting from a Scottish acquaintance. That led to buying my first bottle (Highland Park 12). Now 600+ spirits later, Scotch is still my first love, but I drink other whisky and dabble in brandy as well.

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