Craigellachie 16 Years Old 2008 Cask #24021 (Alambic Classique)

From the bottler Alambic Classique, a 16 year old Craigellachie, distilled in 2008, from cask 24021, bottled at 59.9%, one of 192 bottles. Craigellachie is a robust, fruity Speyside single malt from the heart of the region. It was rebuilt in 1965, but kept its worm tubs where most distilleries dropped them.

Distilled for the heavy, meaty spirit Craigellachie is known for, to build a robust, sulphurous, full bodied character. A sherry butt held it, the wood lending raisin and walnut to the robust spirit. Into oxidative maturity, slow air ingress builds fruity ethyl esters (pineapple and mango) over the oily, meaty depth. Craigellachie is one of the last Speyside malts still built on worm tubs. Worm tubs give little copper contact, so the new spirit is robust and full, mellowing to tropical fruit with age. Refill oak lets the muscular Craigellachie character lead, malt and tropical fruit beneath.

Bottled at a cask strength 59.9%, it is rich. Meaty malt, tropical fruit and a waxy oil, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. A dried fruit and a savoury, oily depth give it weight. The finish is deep, oily and savoury. This is a meaty, tropical Speyside single malt.