Craigellachie 13 Years Old 2003 Cask #8008 (Meadowside Blending)

A 13 year old Craigellachie from the bottler Meadowside Blending, distilled in 2003, from cask 8008, bottled at 46%, one of 677 bottles. Craigellachie was built in 1891 and is one of the few distilleries still using worm tubs. It was launched as a single malt brand in 2014, with a bare knuckle, old fashioned image.

Drawn off pot stills cooled by traditional worm tubs, giving the heavy, oily spirit at its heart. An Oloroso hogshead lent fig, raisin and a savoury, nutty edge. Through integration spirit and wood marry, vanillin settling into vanilla as ethyl esters lend a riper, tropical fruit over the meaty malt. Craigellachie is one of the last Speyside malts still built on worm tubs. It keeps its worm tub condensers, an old fashioned set up that builds a heavy, meaty, sulphurous spirit. Years in oak round the spirit, the worm tub weight turning to pineapple and wax.

At 46% it is gentle, sweet and fruity. Tropical fruit, malt and a warm spice, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. A dried fruit and a savoury, oily depth give it weight. Tropical fruit, malt and a savoury oak see out the finish. This is Craigellachie, the meaty heart of White Horse.