Craigellachie 13 Years Old 2011 Cask #9004391 (Moonshiners’ Spirit)

A Craigellachie of a 13 year old chosen by the bottler Moonshiners' Spirit, distilled in 2011, from cask 9004391, bottled at 53.8%, one of 86 bottles. Craigellachie is a robust, fruity Speyside single malt from the heart of the region. It keeps its worm tub condensers, an old fashioned set up that builds a heavy, meaty, sulphurous spirit.

It was distilled in copper stills with worm tub condensers on Blue Hill spring water, for an oily, robust make that turns tropical with age. A sherry cask wrapped the muscular spirit in dried fruit and a nutty depth. By the integrating teens the sulphur fades and esters build, pineapple and wax growing over the oily spirit. A big sherry cask suits the muscular spirit, dried fruit meeting the meaty weight. Water comes from a local spring in the Blue Hill area above the village. Most Craigellachie goes quietly into blends, a robust filler kept in part as single malt.

Bottled at a cask strength 53.8%, it is rich. A heavy, oily maltiness, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. It is robust and waxy, the muscular spirit shining through. Tropical fruit, malt and a savoury oak see out the finish. This is Craigellachie, the meaty heart of White Horse.