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

This Craigellachie was bottled by the bottler Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers, a 12 year old, distilled in 2010, bottled at 47.5%, one of 1542 bottles. Craigellachie sits above Telford's famous Spey bridge, a Speyside distillery of real muscle. It was launched as a single malt brand in 2014, with a bare knuckle, old fashioned image.

Run through the distillery's stills and old fashioned worm tubs, for a bold, meaty Speyside spirit. Ex-Sherry wood added a dried fruit richness to the heavy, meaty malt. By the integrating teens the sulphur fades and esters build, pineapple and wax growing over the oily spirit. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the oily, tropical core over the years. Worm tubs give little copper contact, so the new spirit is robust and full, mellowing to tropical fruit with age. It was rebuilt in 1965, but kept its worm tubs where most distilleries dropped them.

Bottled at a cask strength 47.5%, it is rich. A muscular, waxy sweetness, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. Soft tropical fruit and a waxy malt sit behind the cask. The finish is deep, oily and savoury. This is Craigellachie's robust, oily Speyside style.