Craigellachie 10 Years Old 2008 Artist Collective #2.6 (LMDW)

This Craigellachie was bottled by the bottler La Maison du Whisky, a 10 year old, distilled in 2008, bottled at 43%. Craigellachie was built in 1891 and is one of the few distilleries still using worm tubs. The distillery was founded in 1891 by a group led by Peter Mackie, the man behind the White Horse blend.

It was distilled for the heavy, meaty spirit Craigellachie is known for, to build a robust, sulphurous, full bodied character. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the oak letting the oily, robust character lead. Integration folds eugenol (clove) and vanillin (vanilla) into the malt, the robust body turning fruitier. The oily spirit shows the cask clearly, vanilla and tropical fruit over a meaty malt. Craigellachie is one of the last Speyside malts still built on worm tubs. It was rebuilt in 1965, but kept its worm tubs where most distilleries dropped them.

Reduced to 43%, it is mellow. Pineapple, malt and a savoury edge, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A dried fruit and a savoury, oily depth give it weight. Tropical fruit, malt and a savoury oak see out the finish. This is the muscular, meaty Speyside malt of Craigellachie.