Craigellachie 13 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Speyside, Scotland

A swirl of golden whisky, a spark of smoke, and a burst of grilled pineapple, Craigellachie 13 Year Old doesn’t walk into the glass so much as it strides in with confidence. Rugged, muscular, and delightfully offbeat, this Speyside single malt leans into its old-school roots with worm-tub richness and a subtle “funk” that sets it apart. It’s a whisky born from fire, fruit, and tradition, offering a character that’s as compelling as the rocky cliff from which the distillery takes its name.

Product Details:

• Category: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
• Age: 13 Years
• Alcohol: 46%
• Cask Program: Matured in a mix of refill ex-Bourbon & ex-Sherry; 50% finished in first-fill Sherry, 50% in first-fill Bourbon
• Colouring: None added
• Filtration: Non-chill filtered
• Distiller: Stephanie Macleod

Sensory Description:

Craigellachie 13 opens with aromas of toasted marshmallow, fire-roasted pineapple, baked apple with cloves, caramel, citrus peel, and a distinctive wool-sweater “funk” entwined with hints of lactic cream, light smoke, and menthol. The palate is rich, mouthcoating, and spicy, with white pepper, ginger, and clove, before unfolding into malt sweetness, caramel, grilled pineapple, and a soft umami thread. The finish lingers with caramelized fruit, gentle peat smoke, citrus pith bitterness, and the enduring signature of worm-tub depth.

Awards & Accolades:

• Silver – International Wine & Spirit Competition (2025)
• Silver – International Spirits Challenge, Tasting Awards (2025)
• Double Gold – San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2025)
• Silver – International Wine & Spirit Competition (2024)
• Bronze – World Whiskies Awards (2024)
• Gold – CWSA, China Wine & Spirits Awards (2024)
• Silver – International Spirits Challenge, Tasting Awards (2024)
• Gold – San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2024)
• Bronze – CWSA, China Wine & Spirits Awards (2023)
• Finalist – Ultimate Beverage Challenge (2023)

Distiller's Background:

Founded in 1891, Craigellachie Distillery has always been a proudly old-fashioned establishment. Situated at the rocky heart of Speyside, it insists on worm-tub condensers, once common, now rare, which produce a heavier, meatier spirit loaded with texture and complexity. Craigellachie sits within the Bacardi portfolio yet maintains a fiercely independent identity, crafting whiskies that reject Speyside softness in favour of bold fruit, muscular depth, and smoky, sulfur-tinged tension. This commitment to heritage and stubborn character is what makes Craigellachie 13 a cult favorite among enthusiasts.

Serving Suggestions:

Enjoy Craigellachie 13 neat to appreciate its layered fruit, soft smoke, and signature funk, or with a few drops of water to coax out more tropical sweetness and menthol lift. It thrives in robust cocktails such as a smoky highball, a twist on the Old Fashioned, or its own house serve, The Old Soul, featuring pineapple syrup and aromatic bitters. Ideal pairings include charred pork belly, aged cheddar, roasted nuts, grilled pineapple, peat-kissed seafood, and hearty pub fare. Serve around 60–65°F for peak expression.

Craigellachie 13 Year Old is a whisky for those who crave personality, where tropical fruit meets old-school structure, where smoke whispers instead of shouts, and where Speyside takes a wonderfully unexpected turn. It’s a steadfast single malt with depth, grit, and charm, rewarding every sip with something new.