Craigellachie 14 Years Old 1999 10th Anniversary of Cadenhead Shop Berlin (Cadenhead’s)

A Craigellachie of a 14 year old chosen by Scotland's oldest independent bottler Cadenhead's, distilled in 1999, bottled at 55.1%, one of 234 bottles. Craigellachie was founded in 1891 by a consortium led by Peter Mackie of White Horse fame. Bacardi's John Dewar and Sons bought it in 1998, alongside Aberfeldy, Aultmore and Royal Brackla.

It was distilled in copper stills with worm tub condensers on Blue Hill spring water, for the muscular, meaty make Craigellachie is known for. First fill bourbon gave a fuller vanilla and pineapple over the robust spirit. Through integration spirit and wood marry, vanillin settling into vanilla as ethyl esters lend a riper, tropical fruit over the meaty malt. Most Craigellachie goes quietly into blends, a robust filler kept in part as single malt. The oily spirit shows the cask clearly, vanilla and tropical fruit over a meaty malt.

At 55.1%, undiluted, it is deep and fruity. Meaty malt, tropical fruit and a waxy oil, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Soft tropical fruit and a waxy malt sit behind the cask. A long, oily finish carries a tropical depth. This is Craigellachie's robust, oily Speyside style.