Craigellachie 12 Years Old 2006 Cask #901056 (BB&R)

This Craigellachie was bottled by the London merchant Berry Bros and Rudd, a 12 year old, distilled in 2006, from cask 901056, bottled at 57%. Craigellachie is a Bacardi owned Speyside distillery whose worm tubs give a heavy, meaty spirit. It keeps its worm tub condensers, an old fashioned set up that builds a heavy, meaty, sulphurous spirit.

It was distilled in copper stills with worm tub condensers on Blue Hill spring water, building the old fashioned Craigellachie style. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak quiet behind the heavy spirit. Through integration spirit and wood marry, vanillin settling into vanilla as ethyl esters lend a riper, tropical fruit over the meaty malt. Most Craigellachie goes quietly into blends, a robust filler kept in part as single malt. Years in oak round the spirit, the worm tub weight turning to pineapple and wax. Most of its make still goes to blending, a robust filler prized for its weight.

At cask strength 57% it is full bodied. Malt, dried fruit and a savoury oil, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A baked fruit and a warm spice lift it. A long, oily finish carries a tropical depth. This is Craigellachie, the meaty heart of White Horse.