🥃 Craigellachie 23 Year Old
The oldest expression in Craigellachie's core range: 23 years, released September 2014; 46% ABV.
Craigellachie 23 Year Old is the oldest expression in the core range of Craigellachie distillery in Speyside, according to Bacardi's 2023 press release. It was released in September 2014, according to Difford's Guide. According to Whiskynotes, until the 31-year-old appeared it was the oldest release from the distillery. Strength: 46% ABV.
The whisky is made from malted barley, like the younger versions; the sources name no specific cask type for it. Difford's Guide describes the aroma as charcoal and oily malt, and the taste as charcoal dust and clove; with water the whisky becomes sweeter and fruitier. Whiskynotes writes about an old-fashioned oily style, honey and overripe pineapple.
Why this matters to you. According to Difford's Guide, long maturation softens the distillery's heavy character, so the 23-year-old feels gentler than the 13-year-old, although the strength is the same. The older 31-, 33- and 51-year-old are separate rare releases, not part of the range. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Alcohol (% vol.) | 46% ABV |
|---|---|
| Minimum maturation | 23 years |
| Raw material | malted barley |
| Year founded | 2014 |
| EU category | 2 — whisky/whiskey |
| Legal basis | Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890): Single Malt Scotch Whisky |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Craigellachie 23 Year Old → packed in → 🍷 Oak barrel ← packed in ← 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Packed in
- 🍷 Oak barrel
- Made from
- 🥃 Barley and malt in whisky
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Part of
- 🥃 Craigellachie, 🥃 Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 🥃 Speyside whisky, 🥃 Scotch Whisky
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Dewar's, 🥃 White Horse, 🥃 Craigellachie 13 Year Old, 🥃 Craigellachie 13 Year Old, 🥃 Craigellachie 17 Year Old, 🥃 Craigellachie 17 Year Old
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that Craigellachie 23 is the oldest whisky from the distillery?
No. It is the oldest in the core range, but the distillery also released the 31-, 33- and 51-year-old as separate rare bottlings.
When did Craigellachie 23 Year Old appear?
In September 2014, together with the 13-, 17- and 19-year-old, according to Difford's Guide.
What is the strength of Craigellachie 23 Year Old?
46% ABV, according to Difford's Guide and Whiskynotes.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Oak barrel — A wooden barrel of oak staves in which wine matures and breathes.
- 🥃 Barley and malt in whisky — Malted barley is the base of whisky: malt enzymes convert starch in the mash, and EU whisky is distilled below 94.8% vol.
- 🥃 Dewar's — Scottish blended whisky of the Dewar family: began in Perth in 1846, Aberfeldy from 1898, White Label from 1899; owned by Bacardi since 1998; White Label is 40% ABV.
- 🥃 Craigellachie 17 Year Old — The middle expression of Craigellachie's core range: 17 years, released September 2014; 46% ABV.
Similar
🥃 Craigellachie 13 Year Old · 🥃 Craigellachie 17 Year Old · 🥃 Aultmore 12 Year Old · 🥃 Aultmore 18 Year Old · 🥃 GlenAllachie 18 Year Old · 🥃 Benromach Contrasts: Organic
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- Difford's Guide: Craigellachie 23 Year Old (46 %; September 2014)
- Whiskynotes: Craigellachie 23 Year Old (01.09.2017; 46 %, OB 2014; part of the 2014 core range makeover; oldest until the 31 y.o.)
- Bacardi (official newsroom): Craigellachie launches cask finishing collection inspired by its worm tubs (03.04.2023; core range: Craigellachie 13, 17 and 23 Years Old; 46 % ABV)
- Difford's Guide: Craigellachie Distillery (13, 17, 19, 23 YO September 2014; mostly ex-bourbon, about 10 % refill European oak; oil-fired kiln at Glenesk; worm tubs)
- The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890), reg. 3: definition and categories of Scotch Whisky
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)
Also listed under
- SpiritsWhiskyScotch WhiskySpeyside whisky
- SpiritsWhiskyScotch WhiskyCraigellachie
- SpiritsWhiskyScotch Whisky
- SpiritsWhiskyCraigellachie