Craigduff 1973 (Signatory) (49.4%)

The Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage bottled this Craigduff, a 32 year old, distilled in 1973, from cask 2513, bottled at 49.4%, one of 566 bottles. Craigduff is the peated experimental spirit of Glen Keith, now bottled only by independents. It ran triple distillation from the start, switching to double distillation by the 1980s.

The spirit was made smoky with peat in the Glen Keith stillhouse, for a smoky spirit with a light, fruity heart. It was matured in an Oloroso cask, the wood working into the light malt. In its ethereal years the malt is waxy and oxidative, faded esters and a touch of sotolon (maple, dried fig). Refill oak lets the light, fruity Glen Keith character lead the way. Active wood frames the fruit without overwhelming the light Speyside spirit. A gentle maturation suits the light make, the orchard fruit growing richer with time.

At a natural 49.4% it is full and fruity. A light, smoky fruitiness, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. The mouthfeel is light, the smoke carried on a fruity body. The finish is long, fruity and gently smoky. This is a smoky, fruity Speyside single malt.