Craigellachie 13 Years Old 2002 Cask #95051 + 95052 (Ian Macleod)

This Craigellachie was bottled by the bottler Ian Macleod, a 13 year old, distilled in 2002, from cask 95051 + 95052, bottled at 50%, one of 738 bottles. Craigellachie is a Bacardi owned Speyside distillery whose worm tubs give a heavy, meaty spirit. Its malt has long been the muscular heart of the White Horse blend.

The spirit was made in copper stills whose worm tubs build a robust make, for the muscular, meaty make Craigellachie is known for. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding vanilla and a waxy tropical fruit. Integration folds eugenol (clove) and vanillin (vanilla) into the malt, the robust body turning fruitier. The robust make rewards long ageing, the meatiness giving way to tropical fruit. The cool Speyside air gives a slow, even maturation, the young sulphur fading to fruit. The meaty, oily spirit takes cask flavour well while keeping its robust, worm tub weight.

At its natural 50% it is concentrated. A heavy, oily maltiness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Beneath it run meaty malt, tropical fruit and a waxy oil. The finish is long, oily and savoury. This is the worm tub malt of Craigellachie.