Craigellachie 12 Years Old 2007 Cask #900777 (HAH Whisky Ltd.)

A 12 year old Craigellachie from the bottler HAH Whisky Ltd, distilled in 2007, from cask 900777, bottled at 51%, one of 727 bottles. Craigellachie is a robust, fruity Speyside single malt from the heart of the region. Its malt has long been the muscular heart of the White Horse blend.

It was drawn off pot stills cooled by traditional worm tubs, to build a robust, sulphurous, full bodied character. An Oloroso hogshead lent fig, raisin and a savoury, nutty edge. Through integration spirit and wood marry, vanillin settling into vanilla as ethyl esters lend a riper, tropical fruit over the meaty malt. The cool Speyside air gives a slow, even maturation, the young sulphur fading to fruit. It keeps its worm tub condensers, an old fashioned set up that builds a heavy, meaty, sulphurous spirit. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the oily, tropical core over the years.

At 51%, undiluted, it is deep and fruity. Malt, dried fruit and a savoury oil, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Soft tropical fruit and a waxy malt sit behind the cask. It finishes robust, waxy and warm. This is Craigellachie, the meaty heart of White Horse.