Gordon & MacPhail - Connoisseurs Choice - Craigellachie 1997/2014

For the #WoodMTW campaign from Gordon & MacPhail they send over a sample out of the Connoisseurs Choice range. From the Craigellachie distillery comes this expression distilled in 1997 and bottled on the first of July 2014 at 46%. It has been maturing its whole life in refill bourbon barrels.

On the nose I find it to be very soft and a bit creamy but it feels also very young and has some rougher notes around the edges. After a while it shows me some soft vanilla and powdered sugar mixed with gooseberry, some floral notes and hint of redcurrant and strawberry. 

The palate shows me first a lot of hay and dried plums giving me a thick syrupy feeling with loads dried fruit sweetness going on. After a bit of time the notes are more clearer and show redcurrant, blackcurrant, strawberry, black berries, vanilla, sultanas and honey. A hint of sourness of gooseberry coming through on the medium length finish. Bit of a strange one, does not feel balanced enough between the nose and palate? Very sweet on the palate but the nose seems so soft in comparison. Not bad notes but just not in sync I think. Scoring me an 7/10 at this moment. Thanks Gordon & MacPhail for sharing this one!