Code
Distillery
Craigellachie
Name
Pilgrimage To El Rocio
Producer
SMWS
Region
Speyside
Age
13 years
ABV
57.7%
Bottler Type
Independent
Category
Scotch
Flavor Profile
Deep, Rich & Dried Fruits
The whisky presents an inviting bouquet of candied orange peel, dark cherries in syrup, and coffee biscuits, layered with vanilla custard and subtle notes of cured jamón, salt-grilled prawns, and barbecue smoke, finishing with a whisper of pipe tobacco.
It delivers a complex interplay of confectionery notes—candied peel, pistachio, vanilla, ginger, and dates—mingling with sherry influence, before settling into rich molasses, leather, and oak with a gentle Padrón pepper spice.
The finish is warm and satisfying, with lingering molasses and oak balanced by the subtle heat of pepper and tobacco smoke.
After 11 years in ex-bourbon wood, we transferred this into a first-fill American oak PX hogshead, thus marrying the spirit of Scotland to the Sabor of Andalusia. We might have been on a dusty pilgrimage to El Rocio; smells of candied orange peel, dark cherries in syrup, coffee biscuits and vanilla custard flans, all balanced with cured jamón, salt-grilled prawns and barbeque ribs – maybe some pipe tobacco after. The palate somehow evoked a Christmas kitchen – preparing sweet treats (peel, pistachio, vanilla, ginger, brown sugar, date slice) while enjoying a glass of sherry – then an arm-chair flop of molasses, leather, oak and Padrón peppers.