Craigduff
Whisky Collection Bar > C
CRAIGDUFF
1 9 7 3 43.0 %
Aged 38 years
SIGNATORY VINTAGE
CASK STRENGHT COLLECTION
Speyside Single malt Scotch Whisky
Distilled on: 04/04/1973
Matured in a Refill Sherry Butt
A genuine rarity, during the 1970's Chivas Brothers produced a series of experimental whiskies in order to find a peaty malt to match the qualities of Islay whisky.
Strathisla and Glen Keith distilleries underwent a programme of producing whisky from heavily peated malt. Craigduff came from Strathisla. After a few years the experiments were ended.
Rare Ayrshire 44 Years Old, Distilled 1974, Signatory 30th Anniversary (Signatory)
CRAIGDUFF 45 YEARS OLD, DISTILLED 1973, SIGNATORY 30TH ANNIVERSARY (SIGNATORY)
SCORE
91
Scoring explained >
Craigduff 45 Years Old, Distilled 1973, Signatory 30th Anniversary (Signatory)
ABV
45.4%
PRODUCTION TYPE
Single malt whisky
REGION
Speyside
FLAVOUR CAMP
Fruity & Spicy
NOSE
I never really detected peat in any Craigduff I tried, and it’s the same story here. Rather, there’s just bags of roasted nuts, dates, quince, fig jam and herbal medicinal balms. Some exotic teas, red fruits, wood spices and mirabelle. Superbly exotic, simmering and lush. A few cereal touches such as fruit muesli emerge with time. Goes on with lime peel, papaya and assorted dried exotic fruit chunks and banana chips. Superb.
PALATE
No peat, but a wonderfully syrupy and plush texture. Tropical fruit in liquid satin form. Quince, Darjeeling tea, cocoa powder, white chocolate and the warmth of paprika. Treads a lovely balance between spice and grip from the wood and more ethereal and complex elements, such as dried herbs and exotic fruits from the distillate. Warming, soft, complex and extremely pleasurable.
FINISH
Getting sootier, more mentholated, waxier and a bit more peppery with green pepper, vapour rub and chamomile.
CONCLUSION
Not sure what influence the peat really had here; perhaps it was more vivid in youth? Instead what remains is a beautifully structured, elegant and resilient old-school Speyside whisky. Lots of tropical inflections buoyed up by just the right nibble from the oak. The very definition of great older single malt and not at all tired or flabby.
RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME
Smuggling barrels of peaty water out of Stornoway at 3am, you toss a coin over to decide whether to head for Glen Keith or Strathisla..