Craigellachie 14 Years Old 2008 (Old Malt Cask)

The independent Hunter Laing bottled this Craigellachie, a 14 year old, distilled in 2008, bottled at 50%, one of 292 bottles. Craigellachie was built in 1891 and is one of the few distilleries still using worm tubs. Bacardi's John Dewar and Sons bought it in 1998, alongside Aberfeldy, Aultmore and Royal Brackla.

It was worked through stills and worm tubs for a muscular, oily spirit, for a bold, meaty Speyside spirit. A Port cask laid plum and red berry over the meaty spirit. By the integrating teens the sulphur fades and esters build, pineapple and wax growing over the oily spirit. Refill oak lets the muscular Craigellachie character lead, malt and tropical fruit beneath. Craigellachie is one of the last Speyside malts still built on worm tubs. It was launched as a single malt brand in 2014, with a bare knuckle, old fashioned image. It was rebuilt in 1965, but kept its worm tubs where most distilleries dropped them.

At cask strength 50% it is full bodied. A heavy, oily maltiness, with red berry and a dry spice from the cask. Pineapple, malt and a savoury wax fill the middle. The finish is long, oily and savoury. This is one of Speyside's most robust single malts.