Craigellachie 13 Years Old 2002 Barrista’s Dram (Wemyss)

A Craigellachie of a 13 year old chosen by the bottler Wemyss Malts, distilled in 2002, bottled at 46%, one of 820 bottles. Craigellachie sits above Telford's famous Spey bridge, a Speyside distillery of real muscle. It sits at the village of Craigellachie, where the River Fiddich joins the Spey by Telford's iron bridge.

The spirit was distilled in copper stills with worm tub condensers on Blue Hill spring water, building the old fashioned Craigellachie style. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the oak letting the oily, robust character lead. By the integrating teens the sulphur fades and esters build, pineapple and wax growing over the oily spirit. Craigellachie is one of the last Speyside malts still built on worm tubs. The meaty, oily spirit takes cask flavour well while keeping its robust, worm tub weight. Refill oak lets the muscular Craigellachie character lead, malt and tropical fruit beneath.

At 46% it is gentle, sweet and fruity. Mango, wax and a meaty depth, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Beneath it run meaty malt, tropical fruit and a waxy oil. It finishes robust, waxy and warm. This is Craigellachie, the meaty heart of White Horse.