Craigellachie 16 Years Old 1996 Cask #7286 (Speciality Drinks Ltd)

The bottler Speciality Drinks Ltd bottled this Craigellachie, a 16 year old, distilled in 1996, from cask 7286, bottled at 52.7%, one of 312 bottles. Craigellachie is an old fashioned Speyside malt, full bodied and sulphurous in youth, tropical with age. It was launched as a single malt brand in 2014, with a bare knuckle, old fashioned image.

The spirit was distilled in copper stills with worm tub condensers on Blue Hill spring water, for a bold, meaty Speyside spirit. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding vanilla and a waxy tropical fruit. Through oxidative maturity esters concentrate, the worm tub weight turning to mango and a waxy depth. 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. The heavy, oily make is prized by blenders for the backbone it gives White Horse.

Bottled at a cask strength 52.7%, it is rich. Mango, wax and a meaty depth, 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 Craigellachie, the meaty heart of White Horse.