2007 Craigellachie 16 Year Old "Old Malt Cask" Single Sherry Butt Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Not a lot can go wrong with a nicely aged Craigellachie in a good quality sherry butt. There was a period when many of these barrels showed strong sulfur character, so much so that certain Scotch lovers actively seek out that style, but modern bottlings rarely exhibit those intense flavors. This, however, is not one of the rarer lighter-style Craigellachies that could feel as if they were distilled anywhere. Instead, it is a very classical expression, showing the telltale aromatics of that heady old-school spirit. The label does not indicate that this is a refill barrel, yet the color is not particularly dark, suggesting a somewhat subtler wine influence compared to others we have seen over the years. That bodes well for a balanced, complex, and classical profile, which I typically love. Let me check. The color is amber (0.7). The nose is immediately expressive, with dense aromas of machine shop, cured meats, candied pineapple, and malty syrup. There is a tiny twinge of sulfur funk, but it is well within expected bounds and likely comes from the spirit rather than the cask. The palate is absolutely gorgeous, shedding that hint of funk and instead showing a powerful, oily texture. The sweetness on the front palate is undeniable, with nutty caramel sauce, citrus oils, and sweet fruit, pulled back by dark fudgy cocoa and a subtle salty, earthy finish. This is exceptionally pleasurable and well balanced. I should have tasted it with water, but it is perfectly lovely neat. It also loves oxygen, and the patient drinker will be rewarded as this malt continues to build in the glass. Fabulous value here.