Craigellachie 13 Years Old 2007 Single Cask Cask Strength (Hart Brothers)

This Craigellachie was bottled by the Glasgow bottler Hart Brothers, a 13 year old, distilled in 2007, bottled at 56.5%. Craigellachie is a robust, fruity Speyside single malt from the heart of the region. It was rebuilt in 1965, but kept its worm tubs where most distilleries dropped them.

The spirit was drawn off pot stills cooled by traditional worm tubs, for an oily, robust make that turns tropical with age. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the oak letting the oily, robust character lead. In integration lactones (coconut) and vanillin (vanilla) knit with the malt, the worm tub weight softening to tropical fruit. The heavy, oily make is prized by blenders for the backbone it gives White Horse. Its malt has long been the muscular heart of the White Horse blend. Long ageing turns the young, sulphurous spirit towards mango, wax and a warm spice. Water comes from a local spring in the Blue Hill area above the village.

At a natural 56.5% it is full and honeyed. Mango, wax and a meaty depth, with a soft vanilla from the oak. It is robust and waxy, the muscular spirit shining through. Tropical fruit, malt and a savoury oak see out the finish. This is the worm tub malt of Craigellachie.