The whiskey wash logo
The World's Most-Visited
Whiskey Website
The World's Most-Visited
Whiskey Website

Trending Stories

Search
Scotch

Craigellachie 13 Year Old Wormtub Single Cask Review

Can a tiny PX octave tame Craigellachie’s famed meatiness? This 13-year Wormtub single cask shows how sherry sweetness steals the show.

OVERALL RATING

10
$121
  • Mark Bostock, a whisky enthusiast specializing in independent bottlings.
Like Conversation

Tasting Notes

About:

One of a limited-edition collection of single cask releases from Wormtub Whisky, celebrating the handful of Scottish distilleries which still use the traditional worm tub condenser. Worm tubs play a vital role in traditional Scotch whisky production by slowing the cooling process and reducing copper contact; this unique method results in distinctive, heavy, robust spirit flavour profiles. From Speyside’s Craigellachie distillery, this single malt spent 13 years maturing in a single Pedro Ximénez ex-sherry octave, yielding just 93 bottles, bottled at 49.8% ABV.
Appearance:
Dark Bronze
Nose:
A rich nose experience combining sweet and savoury aromas, as orange zest, cocoa and brandy snaps are balanced by malt and a robust meaty note. There are also notes of waxy polish and spicy PX sherry.
Palate:
Rich, thick and mouthcoating with notes of sherry and oak, with a slight oily texture. Sherried fruits, including raisins and sultanas, emerge before giving way to creamy chocolate, maple syrup and butterscotch. There is also a note of soft polished old leather.
Finish:
A long sweet finish, with lots of toffee, sherry and dried fruits which slowly fade into notes of leather, cinnamon and oak for a savoury note at the close.
Comments:
This Wormtub Craigellachie single cask expression offers a complex interaction between sweet and savoury notes. I was particularly surprised at the lasting sweetness on the finish, with notes of toffee and PX sherry, as Craigellachie’s characteristic meatiness was very muted except on the nosing experience. This is likely the result of greater spirit contact with the tiny Pedro Ximénez octave cask which has imparted considerable sherry sweetness. With mouthcoating and bold notes of sherry, creamy chocolate and butterscotch, this was a very drinkable and moreish cask strength whisky. The rarest of the Wormtub single cask collection with just 93 bottles filled, this Craigellachie was a standout for me, and I wish I’d grabbed a bottle while it was available.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Mark Bostock

Mark Bostock, an integral part of the Mark Littler LTD UK content writing team since 2019, brings a genuine passion for whisky, especially independent bottlings, to his work. His commitment to expanding his knowledge through attending tasting events and building his own collection enriches his contributions, blending expertise with enthusiasm.

All Posts

Latest On The Whiskey Wash

The whiskey wash logo