WH-ID-CON-005 Connoiseurs Choice Craigellachie 1989

🥃 Connoisseurs Choice – Craigellachie 1989 Single Malt (Gordon & MacPhail Bottling)

Brand: Connoisseurs Choice
Distillery: Craigellachie (Speyside, Scotland)
Vintage: 1989
Bottler: Gordon & MacPhail
Bottled: 2006 (approximate) — this bottling is listed as distilled September 1989, bottled April 2006, 43% vol.
ABV: 43%
Bottle Size: 70 cl / 0.7 L (in most listings)

🌸 Tasting Notes

• Nose: Good indications of a mature Speyside malt; the listing notes this edition garners an average rating of 86/100.

• Palate: Though detailed official notes are thin, users describe it as pleasantly surprising for a 43% Craigellachie — suggesting balance over high-strength punch.

• Finish: Clean and moderate, appropriate for the 43% ABV and independent bottling style.

🏅 Collectibility & Significance

• This is part of the respected Connoisseurs Choice range by Gordon & MacPhail — an indicator of quality and collectability.

• The 1989 vintage from Craigellachie bottled in mid-2000s adds age and provenance appeal.

• The relatively modest ABV (43%) for an independent bottling may make it less bold than some collector “hot” pieces, but it could appeal for nuance and accessibility.

• The fact it is listed and traded across multiple markets (US, EU, Asia) reinforces its recognized value among collectors.

🪶 Presentation & Use

• If you have a sealed bottle in good condition (label, capsule, storage), this works very well for a curated whisky collection.

• If opened, serve neat in a tulip or copita glass, allowing 5-10 minutes for the aromas to develop. The moderate ABV means slower warming and subtler evolution than high-strength bottlings.

• Ideal for a tasting session where participants can compare independent Craigellachies or Speyside malts with similar age.

• Also suitable as a display piece, especially for those tracking the Connoisseurs Choice line or Craigellachie’s independent bottlings.

🎯 Ideal For

• Collectors of independent single malt bottlings who value age, provenance, and label history.

• Enthusiasts of the Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice series.

• Fans of the Craigellachie Distillery brand looking beyond the standard offerings.

• Anyone seeking a vintage Speyside single malt that offers collectibility and drinking potential without necessarily being at ultra-high strength or ultra-rare price tier.