Craigellachie 11 Exceptional Cask & 25 Year Islay Gold Scotch

You can skip ahead, but you’ll miss a lot of great information along the way!
Shortcuts/Timecodes:
0:00 - Intro
1:35 - Craig 11 Nosing
2:43 - Craig 11Tasting
7:05 - Islay Gold 25 Nosing
8:33 - Islay Gold 25 Tasting
Today I wanted to take a look at two bottles I had my eye on for a couple months before making the purchases to review. The reason for my initial hesitancy was that both were rather pricey, and there was very little information about them online. That said, that the stats on both bottles are fairly nice, so let’s take a closer look at each bottle’s details.
The Exceptional Cask Series began for Craigellachie back in 2019. They’re meant to highlight Craigellachie’s signature style (at cask strength), and usually in a first of second-fill sherry casks. While there have been 19 & 23 year old expressions released, the one I’m reviewing is only 11. It was from a single Oloroso Sherry cask (#5646) that was filled on 2/14/2011 and bottled on 10/03/2022. It was bottled at a hefty 60.8% abv, retails around $150-$170 and is 1 of 426 bottles released.
The Islay Gold 25 Year Single Malt is found at Total Wine stores across the US and retails between $120-$180 (depending on region and sale pricing). It being a “single malt” we know it’s from a single Islay distillery, but they don’t disclose any details on which one it is. We do know that it’s only bottled at 80 proof and that a 25 year old single malt below $200 is fairly rare these days.
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As of February 2024, my current bottle count is over 2,600. I am a Certified Specialist of Spirits and have also been accredited by the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT). I've been actively collecting for three decades and what started as a small basic home bar has transformed (with the help and understanding of my wonderful wife) into this collection and career. Speaking of my career, our “Saints Alley" Bourbons & Rye whiskeys are on Total Wine shelves and customers are really enjoying them (be sure to ask for a sample when you're in the stores)! Currently, our Special Editions are moving fast and winning awards! So, keep an eye out for our "Nobleman Rye", the White Port & Cognac finished Bourbon, and our Special Edition "Herald" Bourbon that adds Pineau Des Charentes casks to the mix. It was just named "The Best Overall Bourbon" in a blind competition at Tales of the Cocktail's - 2023 New Orleans Spirit Competition! It won over a lot of really big names, and it just goes to show that when you take the big money branding away, our Saints Alley whiskeys can stand on their own! Given my decades of consumer experience, you know I’m working hard with my team to bring you whiskeys that we’re all proud of! Thanks for watching and please remember to drink responsibly. Cheers!

[@scottyblog]

If it’s got an earthy dank like autumn leaves, it’s probably Caol Ila. That Isle Gold 25 is a great buy at that price. If they would have kicked that to 46-48% than wow. Still a great find at $117.

[@GregsWhiskyGuide]

Interesting those it seems !

[@Shane4Bass]

Great review!

[@LiquorHound]

Glad you enjoyed it and cheers!

[@elmushaw2367]

👌👌👍👍🍻🥃😎✌️