Craigellachie 8 Years Old 2013 (Sexywhisky)

The bottler Sexywhisky bottled this Craigellachie, an 8 year old, distilled in 2013, bottled at 54.3%, one of 24 bottles. Craigellachie was founded in 1891 by a consortium led by Peter Mackie of White Horse fame. Worm tubs give little copper contact, so the new spirit is robust and full, mellowing to tropical fruit with age.

It was made in copper stills whose worm tubs build a robust make, to build a robust, sulphurous, full bodied character. A Pedro Ximenez cask added raisin, date and a treacle sweetness. At an extractive age eugenol lends a clove note and lactones a coconut, the spirit heavy, oily and robust. Refill oak lets the muscular Craigellachie character lead, malt and tropical fruit beneath. The meaty, oily spirit takes cask flavour well while keeping its robust, worm tub weight. Most of its make still goes to blending, a robust filler prized for its weight.

At a natural 54.3% it is full and honeyed. A heavy, oily maltiness, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Pineapple, malt and a savoury wax fill the middle. A long, oily finish carries a tropical depth. This is a full bodied Speyside single malt of real character.