Review #216: Craigellachie 12, The Sovereign 2018, K&L exclusive, sherry butt, cask strength, 59.9%

Speyside - 12 - NCF - NCA - $55 - 59.9%

 Craigellachie is a blender workhorse that shows up in Dewers.  Their real claim to fame is their worm tubs that gives it a meaty flavor.  Every Craigellachie I have had has at the very minimum been interesting. 

Color - Tawny

Nose - Loads of dried fruits, figs, fabric softener, tobacco, match box  = w/ water becomes a sulphur bomb, pencil earsers, cabbage, fabric softener, apples

Palate - Strawberry, stewed apples, caramel, leather - w/ water red fruit, cherries oranges, brown sugar, caramel

Finish - Long - Carbide, cooked oranges, leather  - w/ water cherries, leather, tobacco, brown sugar, electric cables, carbon

Overall - 8 - This was great.  It had tons of fruit, earth and sulphur funk.  It was a little boring on its own but opened up with a few drops of water.  The red fruit throughout really were surprising, it was closer to a port finish than a sherry barrel in many ways.  The nose was great, until I added water and then it went to straight sulphur.  However, a little water opened up the palate so I wouldn't add water until you are done nosing.  Overall a very interesting dram and just a ton of fun to attempt to review.  At $55, this was a steal, if only I had bought some when it was still available.  

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Rating system is price influenced as it is based on my shopping decisions when buying a bottle.

10 Best in Show

9 Great Dram for Special Occasions

8 Worthy of consistent spot in my collection

7 Worth picking up a bottle if in the mood

6 I would buy a bottle if it went on sale
5.5 I really enjoyed but it will never be priced at where I would buy a bottle

5 I would drink it happily if offered

4 I would drink it if offered on the rocks

3 Maybe some soda will make this potable

2 I'll Pass

1 Toilet cleaner

Inclusive Ratings

Overall 6.1

Standard Deviation 0.91

Skew 0.66

Kurtosis -0.16