Craigellachie 14 Years Old 2006 Cask #DL 14023 (Old Particular)

A 14 year old Craigellachie from the Glasgow bottler Douglas Laing, distilled in 2006, from cask DL 14023, bottled at 52%, one of 309 bottles. 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.

It was distilled in copper stills with worm tub condensers on Blue Hill spring water, to build a robust, sulphurous, full bodied character. An Oloroso hogshead lent fig, raisin and a savoury, nutty edge. By the integrating teens the sulphur fades and esters build, pineapple and wax growing over the oily spirit. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the oily, tropical core over the years. It was launched as a single malt brand in 2014, with a bare knuckle, old fashioned image. Its malt has long been the muscular heart of the White Horse blend.

Bottled at a cask strength 52%, it is rich. Mango, wax and a meaty depth, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. The mouthfeel is heavy and oily, the fruit carried on a meaty body. The close is long, fruit over a meaty malt. This is one of Speyside's most robust single malts.