Craigellachie 10 Years Old 2008 Single Cask edition (MoM)

The bottler Master of Malt bottled this Craigellachie, a 10 year old, distilled in 2008, bottled at 50.5%, one of 398 bottles. Craigellachie was founded in 1891 by a consortium led by Peter Mackie of White Horse fame. Water comes from a local spring in the Blue Hill area above the village.

Distilled in copper stills with worm tub condensers on Blue Hill spring water, for a bold, meaty Speyside spirit. First fill bourbon gave a fuller vanilla and pineapple over the robust spirit. By the integrating teens the sulphur fades and esters build, pineapple and wax growing over the oily spirit. Refill oak lets the muscular Craigellachie character lead, malt and tropical fruit beneath. Bacardi's John Dewar and Sons bought it in 1998, alongside Aberfeldy, Aultmore and Royal Brackla. The meaty, oily spirit takes cask flavour well while keeping its robust, worm tub weight.

At a hearty 50.5% it carries real weight. Malt, dried fruit and a savoury oil, 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 a full bodied Speyside single malt of real character.