Craigellachie 13 Years Old 2008 Cask #7533866 (Duncan Taylor)

A 13 year old Craigellachie from the Huntly bottler Duncan Taylor, distilled in 2008, from cask 7533866, bottled at 52.8%, one of 56 bottles. Craigellachie is a robust, oily Speyside single malt made on worm tub condensers. The distillery was founded in 1891 by a group led by Peter Mackie, the man behind the White Horse blend.

It was made in copper stills whose worm tubs build a robust make, for a bold, meaty Speyside spirit. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, vanilla and a tropical fruit over the meaty spirit. Through integration spirit and wood marry, vanillin settling into vanilla as ethyl esters lend a riper, tropical fruit over the meaty malt. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the meaty malt. Most Craigellachie goes quietly into blends, a robust filler kept in part as single malt. Bacardi's John Dewar and Sons bought it in 1998, alongside Aberfeldy, Aultmore and Royal Brackla.

At a hearty 52.8% it carries real weight. Pineapple, malt and a savoury edge, 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 one of Speyside's most robust single malts.