Craigellachie 17 Years Old 1972 Cask #1655 (Dun Eideann)

A 17 year old Craigellachie from the bottler Dun Eideann, distilled in 1972, from cask 1655, bottled at 46%. Craigellachie was built in 1891 and is one of the few distilleries still using worm tubs. It keeps its worm tub condensers, an old fashioned set up that builds a heavy, meaty, sulphurous spirit.

It was drawn off pot stills cooled by traditional worm tubs, for an oily, robust make that turns tropical with age. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak quiet behind the heavy spirit. At oxidative maturity aldehydes and esters lend tropical fruit while ellagitannins add a drying, savoury grip. The robust make rewards long ageing, the meatiness giving way to tropical fruit. Worm tubs give little copper contact, so the new spirit is heavy and full, mellowing with time. Refill oak lets the muscular Craigellachie character lead, malt and tropical fruit beneath.

Reduced to 46%, it is mellow. A muscular, waxy sweetness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Beneath it run meaty malt, tropical fruit and a waxy oil. A long, oily finish carries a tropical depth. This is the muscular, meaty Speyside malt of Craigellachie.