Craigellachie 14 Years Old (43%)

An official release of Craigellachie, a 14 year old, at 43%. Craigellachie was founded in 1891 by a consortium led by Peter Mackie of White Horse fame. The distillery was founded in 1891 by a group led by Peter Mackie, the man behind the White Horse blend.

Run through the distillery's stills and old fashioned worm tubs, giving the heavy, oily spirit at its heart. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the meaty character to the fore. In integration lactones (coconut) and vanillin (vanilla) knit with the malt, the worm tub weight softening to tropical fruit. The robust make rewards long ageing, the meatiness giving way to tropical fruit. The meaty, oily spirit takes cask flavour well while keeping its robust, worm tub weight. With age the meaty young spirit turns to pineapple, mango and a waxy depth. The cool Speyside air gives a slow, even maturation, the young sulphur fading to fruit.

At 43% it is clean and soft. A robust, oily fruitiness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Pineapple, malt and a savoury wax fill the middle. The finish is deep, oily and savoury. This is the muscular, meaty Speyside malt of Craigellachie.