Craigellachie 14 Years Old 2007 Cask #315065 (Brave New Spirits)

A Craigellachie of a 14 year old chosen by the bottler Brave New Spirits, distilled in 2007, from cask 315065, bottled at 52.3%, one of 262 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.

Distilled for the heavy, meaty spirit Craigellachie is known for, building the old fashioned Craigellachie style. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding vanilla and a waxy tropical fruit. In integration lactones (coconut) and vanillin (vanilla) knit with the malt, the worm tub weight softening to tropical fruit. The heavy, oily make is prized by blenders for the backbone it gives White Horse. It sits at the village of Craigellachie, where the River Fiddich joins the Spey by Telford's iron bridge. The cool Speyside air gives a slow, even maturation, the young sulphur fading to fruit.

At 52.3%, undiluted, it is deep and fruity. A robust, oily fruitiness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Pineapple, malt and a savoury wax fill the middle. A long, oily finish carries a tropical depth. This is the worm tub malt of Craigellachie.