Craigellachie 12 Years Old 2010 Càrn Mòr Strictly Limited (Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers) (47.5%)

This Craigellachie was bottled by the bottler Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers, a 12 year old, distilled in 2010, bottled at 47.5%, one of 1358 bottles. Craigellachie, where the Fiddich meets the Spey, is the meaty backbone of the White Horse blend. It keeps its worm tub condensers, an old fashioned set up that builds a heavy, meaty, sulphurous spirit.

It was distilled in copper stills with worm tub condensers on Blue Hill spring water, for an oily, robust make that turns tropical with age. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the oak letting the oily, robust character lead. Through integration spirit and wood marry, vanillin settling into vanilla as ethyl esters lend a riper, tropical fruit over the meaty malt. The meaty, oily spirit takes cask flavour well while keeping its robust, worm tub weight. The cool Speyside air gives a slow, even maturation, the young sulphur fading to fruit.

At cask strength 47.5% it is full bodied. Mango, wax and a meaty depth, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A dried fruit and a savoury, oily depth give it weight. The finish is deep, oily and savoury. This is an oily, tropical Speyside single malt.