Craigellachie Exceptional Cask Series 23 Year Single Cask

Sherry Cask 4575 Nose - Feels a bit hot, lots going on here, dried apricot, candied ginger, dried apple rings/orange/pineapple, fresh papaya, honey (w/ water) Reduces the heat, but otherwise mostly the same Taste - Bit hot, candied ginger, Hawaiian POG juice in a gummy form, dried pineapples, hint of dried persimmon "funk", super ripe papaya "funk", lightly fruity bitterness, orange zest (w/ water) Honey, dried tropical fruits, caramel, raisins, adds a bit of spicy milk chocolate Finish - Lingering heat, tropical fruits, persimmon/papaya "funk", unripe bananas (w/ water) Lingering warmth, tropical fruits, less "funk" Score - 91/100 Final Thoughts - So this was a bit of a surprise to me as it was all over the place right after I poured it. After a tiny bit of rest, a plethora of dried & fresh tropical fruits emerged and added to the complexity on the nose. Felt a bit hot on the nose without water and it accurately translated so on the palate as well. This was a nice mix of fresh & dried tropical fruits with a bit of this fruity "funk" that I usually get from fresh papaya or dried persimmons, but I think some people might get as sulfur. I'm not typically a huge fan of this, but it somehow works pretty well here. This feels oddly tropical and a bit of water helps reduce the funk and accent the fresh & dried tropical fruit vibes I get from this. Would I drink it if offered? - Yes Would I specifically order it? - Yes Would I buy a bottle? - Yes NOTE - All reviews are done without factoring in price.

OK so this is a touch early for a review, not a neck but close enough. Nose - ok so a theme will come in that there's a touch of sulfer on this and it's already in 2 days faded dramatically. I expect it's going to just get better. So yes sulfer, sherry, fresh raisins, brown sugar, and this kinda sour sugary sweetness. It's absolutely fascinating. Taste - There's a craigellachie note here, it's lovely funky sour and chewy malt, with sherry sweetness, oak and chocolate blend together. More funk and yes a bit of a sulfur fart at the end. This chewy chocolate and funky oak finish with some sherry and even that sulfer is freaking wonderful. This is a VERY funk and VERY difficult whisky. I must admit, I like springbank, but in general I tend to like "cleaner" whiskies. This one however is very much in my springbank love zone. OK so I'm not sure this is exceptional when I think their regular 23 is just as good at this one, but this is richer, more intense, and far more funky. This is a 90 out of 100 but I think with more time, a month or so, this might be drinking 92-93. I'll make sure to update down the road and this is one with potential for a Mike's Whisky Review video down the road.

Wow! At 57.5 abv this was a punch to the throat. The sherry influence was strong, but no overpowering. But there was a musk, funk with this dram that took the pleasure away for me. I added water to subdue the burn, which made the drink more approachable, but the funk was still there. This was a sample that I got from whiskymystery, so I had the experience without spending $400+ for a bottle. Maybe I’ll get to try the regular Craigellachie 23 one of these days.