17 years

Craigellachie was founded in 1891 by Alexander Edward, a blender and merchant who also built the celebrated Craigellachie Hotel. The distillery has always operated quietly in the shadows: just 2% of its production is bottled as Single Malt, the rest destined for blended Scotch. John Dewar & Sons, the current owner, chose to swim against the tide of age-statement-free releases by reviving classic, age-stated bottlings across its five distilleries.

This 17-year expression matured initially in a blend of ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry casks, followed by a split finish: 50% in first-fill Sherry casks, the remainder in first-fill Bourbon. This dual-cask strategy underpins its distinctive character.

The nose leads with vanilla, grilled pineapple, and citrus brightness. On the palate, oily richness carries notes of grain, pastry, and toffee, tempered by black pepper and dark chocolate. The finish lingers with roasted grain and a subtle smoke—classic Speyside architecture, executed with restraint.