Craigellachie 8 Years Old 2013 Càrn Mòr Strictly Limited (Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers)

A Craigellachie of an 8 year old chosen by the bottler Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers, distilled in 2013, bottled at 47.5%, one of 1173 bottles. Craigellachie is the bold, oily Speyside malt that anchors the White Horse blend. With age the meaty young spirit turns to pineapple, mango and a waxy depth.

Worked through stills and worm tubs for a muscular, oily spirit, for a bold, meaty Speyside spirit. A Bordeaux or red wine cask gave red berry and a dry spice. At an extractive age eugenol lends a clove note and lactones a coconut, the spirit heavy, oily and robust. Most Craigellachie goes quietly into blends, a robust filler kept in part as single malt. A big sherry cask suits the muscular spirit, dried fruit meeting the meaty weight. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the oily, tropical core over the years. Its malt has long been the muscular heart of the White Horse blend.

At cask strength 47.5% it is full bodied. Malt, dried fruit and a savoury oil, with a clove and dried fruit spice from the cask. Soft tropical fruit and a waxy malt sit behind the cask. The finish runs meaty, waxy and warm. This is an oily, tropical Speyside single malt.