Craigellachie 10 Years Old 2013 Cask #302039 (BB&R)

This Craigellachie was bottled by the London merchant Berry Bros and Rudd, a 10 year old, distilled in 2013, from cask 302039, bottled at 56.2%, one of 311 bottles. Craigellachie is a robust, oily Speyside single malt made on worm tub condensers. It keeps its worm tub condensers, an old fashioned set up that builds a heavy, meaty, sulphurous spirit.

Distilled in copper stills with worm tub condensers on Blue Hill spring water, for an oily, robust make that turns tropical with age. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding vanilla and a waxy tropical fruit. By the integrating teens the sulphur fades and esters build, pineapple and wax growing over the oily spirit. Years in oak round the spirit, the worm tub weight turning to pineapple and wax. It was rebuilt in 1965, but kept its worm tubs where most distilleries dropped them. The heavy, oily make is prized by blenders for the backbone it gives White Horse.

At 56.2%, undiluted, it is deep and fruity. Pineapple, malt and a savoury edge, with a soft vanilla from the oak. It is robust and waxy, the muscular spirit shining through. The finish is deep, oily and savoury. This is the worm tub malt of Craigellachie.