Craigellachie 13 Years Old 2008 Cask #7533856 (Duncan Taylor)

The Huntly bottler Duncan Taylor bottled this Craigellachie, a 13 year old, distilled in 2008, from cask 7533856, bottled at 54.3%, one of 76 bottles. Craigellachie, where the Fiddich meets the Spey, is the meaty backbone of the White Horse blend. The distillery was founded in 1891 by a group led by Peter Mackie, the man behind the White Horse blend.

Made in copper stills whose worm tubs build a robust make, giving the heavy, oily spirit at its heart. A bourbon barrel held it, vanilla and a soft spice over the oily malt. Through integration spirit and wood marry, vanillin settling into vanilla as ethyl esters lend a riper, tropical fruit over the meaty malt. Years in oak round the spirit, the worm tub weight turning to pineapple and wax. Most Craigellachie goes quietly into blends, a robust filler kept in part as single malt. Craigellachie is one of the last Speyside malts still built on worm tubs.

Bottled at a cask strength 54.3%, it is rich. A heavy, oily maltiness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A dried fruit and a savoury, oily depth give it weight. It finishes robust, waxy and warm. This is Craigellachie, the meaty heart of White Horse.