An Cearcall 2008 MoS (Malts of Scotland)

A 12 year old Craigellachie from the bottler Malts of Scotland, distilled in 2008, from cask MoS 20050, bottled at 65.5%, one of 343 bottles. Craigellachie is a robust, fruity Speyside single malt from the heart of the region. It keeps its worm tub condensers, an old fashioned set up that builds a heavy, meaty, sulphurous spirit.

The spirit was distilled for the heavy, meaty spirit Craigellachie is known for, to build a robust, sulphurous, full bodied character. An Oloroso hogshead lent fig, raisin and a savoury, nutty edge. Integration folds eugenol (clove) and vanillin (vanilla) into the malt, the robust body turning fruitier. The robust make rewards long ageing, the meatiness giving way to tropical fruit. Most of its make still goes to blending, a robust filler prized for its weight. Worm tubs give little copper contact, so the new spirit is robust and full, mellowing to tropical fruit with age.

At a natural 65.5% it is full and honeyed. A muscular, waxy sweetness, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. The texture is full and oily, the fruit lifted by a meaty weight. The finish is deep, oily and savoury. This is an oily, tropical Speyside single malt.