Same! I think the 13 absolutely crushes the 17 when it comes to value, and if I wasn't such a fan boy of these guys I'd definitely have come down harder on the 17 for price. I do think it's a bit too much, honestly. The 13 takes us most of the way there at less than half the price. But yeah... amazing stuff nonetheless. Great minds think alike, eh? Cheers Alan! 🥃

The 17 is triple the price of the 13 in my area. Absolutely outrageous!

@@xiamengbaby Ouch! The 13 is the better option then, at least for a bottle.

Hah well said. And yes! There is a cola note! As far as I'm concerned the 13 does 90% of what the 17 does for a fraction of the price! Hard to pick a favourite! 🥃

I tried also many other 10-12 year old and some where quite good drama but compared to flavour and complexity this 13year old is really something special imo.. like now I tried the Grlendronach 12 year old but it’s really to much sherry for me.. in that case I would prefer a more rich/smokey still then this bottle this week.. with Craigellachie it’s oily and very good with all flavors you pick it it’s like a on going palet

The 13 is almost as good as the 17. Some days it even matches it for me. You'll certainly enjoy the 17, but you're right, the 13 is a the one to grab these days as everything is getting more expensive.

Fair. If value is a major consideration (and it should be!) then of course the 13 is the go-to. And I agree that it's comparable in quality. I like what the extra age and more intense sherry influence have done for the 17, but it's more "different" than "better." The 13 is an absolute treasure. 🥃

Well I hope you can get it at a fair price. I have some people telling me it's triple the price of the 13 in their markets. It's double here in Taiwan.l, and that's still pushing it a bit. Love it, but it's pricey! 🥃

@@Gwhisky … and I just looked. Yep, triple the price here. Crazy.

Damn that's a hell of a deal! Glad you got to try it. I'm sure it's well over CAD $200 nowadays.

$195 Cdn here in Alberta

@@Gwhisky I haven't seen it on the shelf in NB in a few years but everything is going up quickly - so yes, I would assume easily in the $200+ range now.

Smart move! I have a few whiskies stashed away from pre-apocalypse days. Anything that's still affordable now might be worth picking up, as they likely won't stay that way. Craigellachie is a great one to have in the stash! I'm sure you'll enjoy! Cheers and thanks for always watching and supporting, buddy!

3x is far too much!

Honestly the 13 does a lot of what the 17 does. It's double the price here, and even I have a tough time justifying it. I went easy on them because I'm a fan boy, but the 13 absolutely destroys the 17 from a budget perspective. Cheers buddy!

Totally get it. In the right mood I still reach for the 13. I prefer the 17, but barely. 🥃

Hah couldn't agree more. This is a whisky that I love (obviously), but it's on the verge of being too much. Still, it's a great pour and the sherried touch is beautiful! Cheers buddy!

Hah I knew it'd be CAD $200+. Triple, eh? Absurd. It's only slightly better than the 13 imo. It's double the price here in Taiwan, and even that's pushing it. I hope you got a better deal on it from your road trip. Price aside, I think it's excellent stuff. Challenging, but excellent. Enjoy buddy!

Interesting! I suppose it could work right away for some. Took me ages to wrap my head around this one! 🥃

I totally get it. I have days where the 13 is as good if not better than the 17. I do think the 17 is the better of the two, it's much more complex, but it's also over double the price. I went easy on it because I'm such a fan boy, but I admit it's overpriced... at least it is outside of Italy. Cheers Ramiz!

Thanks for watching TWB! 🥃

Hah well I admit I'm known to be a generous scorer and a Craigellachie fan boy! Cheers buddy!

Totally understandable! 🥃

Hah well I hope you enjoy the 17 sir. Thanks for subbing and welcome to the channel! Cheers! 🥃

Yeah the 17 is overpriced, there's no getting around it. And the quality we get in the 13 is equal or near-equal to what we're getting from the 17. The 13 makes way more sense from a value perspective. 🥃

Yeah the 17 only slightly edges out the 13 and it's over double the price here. I went easy on it because this is one of my favourite brands, but from a value perspective it's not close. The 13 absolutely destroys the 17 when it comes to bang-for-buck. Cheers Sandro!

I've seen it. He seemed impressed and I can understand why! 🥃

It's fantastic. Hope you enjoy! 🥃

Ah yes... reachability. I used to include that term more in my reviews. It's actually a pretty big factor to consider when you're looking at a whisky. It may be good or of a certain quality, but how often do you actually go for it? Hah. Well, for me, the 13 is very "reachable." Fair price and absolutely loaded with personality. But I see why it wouldn't appeal to everyone all the time. Definitely one that challenges. Cheers Allan! 🥃

Same here! 🥃

Thanks Primewhisky! A man of culture, you are!

Yes, these are completely naturally presented. The website also gives us the cask breakdown. My criticism was about what's shared on the bottle/label. Odd choice not to brag about a completely natural presentation. Still, good for them. I'm sure you'll enjoy the 17, buddy. It's excellent.

Great question! I'd go for the 20 CS of course! Craigellachie has some really interesting IBs out there, and if the price matches an OB but is older AND cask strength? Easy choice! Cheers and Happy New Year! 🥃

High praise! Glad you enjoy it! 🥃

Hah come on, Big Al! You're smooth as silk! 🥃😉

Yeah I used some of the updated website info in the video. My criticism was their odd decision not to disclose that (very useful) information on the bottle or sleeve. Odd decision.

I"ve tried the 13 Armagnac. It's just come onto the shelves here in Taiwan and I certainly plan on picking it up for review! As for the 17, yeah it's too pricey. Better off with the 13 as a value buy. Cheers Cecil! 🥃

@@Gwhisky So, G, what did you think of the Armagnac? Or do I have to wait for the review?

@@cecilrobbins5182 On first impression I liked it. It was just a sample at a whisky show so I can't say I got to know it, but it left a good first impression. That being said, I do think I prefer the regular 13.

@@Gwhisky Thanks for the quick response. I've not opened my bottle right now I'm working on the Ardbeg Scorch LE and Committee releases. I only started on scotch and spirits in 2019 cause we were going to Scotland and my friends were in Kentucky so in April we did the Bourbon Trail and then August we're in Scotland in October I found Ralfy. In February I discovered peat then lockdown but I was entirely hooked. Having 20+ years as a certified sommelier helped but I've missed so much I'm learning as fast as I can So, Eric Wait speaks my language and is in love with Ardbeg Corryvreckan as am I so he compared the 2 Scorch releases and I am using him as an instructor. Along with you and Ralfy and a couple others. There's some feeling of what I've missed but we're in a whole new Golden Age of scotch now and I came in as Glendronach was hot and now it's not. Glenallachie is rising and Kilchoman is on the scene. What a time.

Its wonderful stuff. Cheers Light! 🥃

@@Gwhisky l believe you )

A damn good price! 🥃

It's a beauty, although it might need some time to open up. Enjoy and Happy New Year! 🥃

@@Gwhisky Thanks looking forward to your bottle of the year happy new year and lucky 2023 and your Great whisky channel

That 18 year old ranking video will come eventually. So many to get through, though! 🥃

Hah let's hope it's better. It grew on me a lot!

Yeah I agree that the price bump is barely justified. Better to load up on the 13 and enjoy it guilt-free knowing the price is fair. Cheers buddy!

I'd love to try it. I hear it's amazing. Sadly tough to find and very expensive. 🥃

It's just over double the price of the 13 here and I can barely justify it, despite the fact that I love it. Triple? Nah... 🥃

I've heard they're amazing! 🥃

Hah damn. Yeah I think we've all had those woulda shoulda coulda moments with whiskies. 🥃

Can't thank you enough for this one buddy. It took me a while to warm up to it but I really think it's fantastic. And yes, very well done sherry! 🥃

It's great and important when you mentioned taking time with whisky in video. Recently I came back to some bottle sitting for a while, and many did open up beautifully. It seems to happen in most complex style of whisky. Glad you enjoy it!

When I say entry-level I mean it's the most affordable or among the most affordable options from a brand. Doesn't imply that the whisky itself is basic. Plenty of brilliant entry-level scotches. The 13 is no slouch!

Enjoy the 13. Absolute beauty. Be ready for a challenge! 🥃

Just got the 17 at LCBO!

@@quickform2264 they didn’t when I left that comment. Interesting timing, a friend is picking me up a bottle while she’s down in Toronto. Enjoy!!

the 17 is on clearance right now at the LCBO

@@roymaddocks3184 Yes…I saw that a few weeks ago and grabbed a bottle. Unlike most of the LCBO’s “sales” (like $3.00 off), this was a significant price drop!!

Hah even I'm not convinced it's worth the bump in price. I only like it slightly more. I went easy on this because I'm such a fan boy of the brand, but if the price is too daunting, trust me, you're getting 90% of the experience with the 13. Love the 13...

Yeah at that price I'd say skip it. The 13 gets you 90% there anyway. Damn this stuff is pricey in some places! 🥃

Haven't tried any Signatory, but my experiences with Criagellachie IBs oddly haven’t been quite as positive or consistent as they have with the core range... 🥃

@@Gwhisky I don't have 13yo to compare, but Criagellachie/Signatory is relatively cheap (28 euro) and complex enough for young whisky.

Hah! I am curious about that one. Maybe someday! 🥃

@Auberginenpeter $300 in Florida . If you can find it.

It's pretty absurd how massive the price bumps are for those few extra years. Even though I love it, I have a hard time justifying the 17 at double...

Hard line in the sand, eh? Understandable. This is pushing it for me in terms of the price for sure. Over double the 13. I went easy on it because I love it so much, but I can't argue with your points, buddy. 🥃

@@Gwhisky well IF I saw it at double the price I’d pay it. But it goes here for at least triple if you find it at that price. I’ve seen it at @$150-$200. For a 17 yr old? That’s pushing it. Should be between $100-130 at most.

I've said it before... I'm very lucky to be where I am. It's just under USD $100 here. Triple the price and $150+? Hard pass.

@@Gwhisky yeah it’s tough brother. An example. I not long ago saw in Charleston Sc several bottles of the elusive 12 yr Springbank. $200. Some people would gladly pay that and I even believe it’s not as bad as I’ve seen online for those. However. I paid $90 for a couple bottles a few yrs ago and I am not paying more than double for anything unless its medicine I need. So I left those bottles to more wealthy drinkers to snatch up. Sad but true. Sometimes you just have to step away. 😂 Ps besides I still have one unopened. Doubt I’ll ever find one at fair price again though. The most unique moment about its taste to me was the neck pour. Never tasted anything like that. But after that it became a very good but normal malt. Not worth over $200 to me.

Love the 17, but you made the right call. 😂🥃

Yeah... great whisky, not great value. 🥃

I haven't had it. I like the new 12, though.

That's a solid haul! Both good bottles, you'll enjoy!

@@Gwhisky aye, Kilchoman my last Islay distillery to have a grasp of to "round the island" ..if I like this, don't see any reason why not from what I've read, but you never know, sanaig and loch gorm at some point in 2023... was always hesitant of the Craig 17 because of the price compared to some of the competition but then again I thought the same of the 13 and it turned out to be one of my best sub £50 purchase so I pulled the plug because of your review :) really loved the ledaig 10 I had too, one of the best low-mid £30s purchase, so the 18 is coming just b4 xmas because of you too I reckon ;)

Thanks Achim! 🥃

Ah damn you're right. 😂

I haven't tried the 23. 🥃

@@Gwhisky ☹️

Hah... well I should have clarified that everything we need to know with regards to casks and natural presentation is on the website. But yes, the bottle is the contract. Absolutely baffles me why a brand would leave out something so essential as "natural colour" on the label... Cheers my friend! 🥃

I can understand that. 🥃

Damn that's pricey. It's under USD $100 here.

@@Gwhisky Wow!

$52. Vs $206. Somebody greedy at the store has their pulse on the scuttlebutt. The 13 Armagnac is $70 so that's probably a pass too. I'd rather look at some indies. My 23 was the first $199.99 bottle I ever bought and maybe I'll open someday. It's still the oldest in my collection. I can't do the 17, for 200 it's got to be a more special bottle. Four extra years and sherry is just not enough.

@@jackthepickledhound I have that Armagnac one, but I totally forgot about it until you mentioned it! Lol 100% agree with your logic! And for the record I've never spent more than $190 (before taxes) on a bottle; Glenfarclas 25 was $190, I bought an IB PEATED 21yo Craigellachie for $170, Glenmorangie Signet for $170 (I couldn't stop staring at the bottle 😍), and a $170 CS Single Cask 13yo Highland Park because a shop-owner saved me a bottle because he thought I'd want it and I couldn't say no. Those are my most extravagant whisky purchases ✌️

Lol no idea.

@@Gwhisky Maybe my earlier comment was deleted for having a link to a quick youtube video about this pronunciation. Basically, it makes sense... Craige L Lachie.

Eesh. Yeah... Canada prices... maybe not. Shame. 🥃

Yeah how dare we ask for transparency from a premium product that we spend our hard-earned money on?

I don't quite understand your point. There is no need to advocate for non age stated, sub 46% colored whiskies. Those are the norm on the market place, since that's where larger comparations see the most crowd pleasing products and hence the largest market. Whisky tuber advocating for more transparency and less meddling with the product is supposed to set a counterpoint to the industry standard and trends. I don't think we have to worry about any larger whisky maker not daring to put out a low ABV, colored, chill filtered product, because that's what they do all the time anyways...

@@Gwhisky )))

@@Gwhisky only the 1% of whisky drinkers such as yourself are asking for this label transparency. For the rest of drinkers, other aspects such as price and taste matter more. I'm not saying those details are not important, certainly quality whisky distillers will produce quality dram with age statements, NCF, NC. But harping about it constantly just is a little off putting. To each his own though! I am drawn to your content so apologies for my direct feedback here

@@klizzt if you read well, you can see that it's not advocating for the status quo of today's whisky making and marketing. It's just a complaint about the repetiveness of whisky tubers of stating the same thing over and over again on Labels.