Craigellachie 15 Years Old 2008 Single Cask Cask Strength (Hart Brothers)

From the Glasgow bottler Hart Brothers, a 15 year old Craigellachie, distilled in 2008, bottled at 55.7%. Craigellachie is the bold, oily Speyside malt that anchors the White Horse blend. It was rebuilt in 1965, but kept its worm tubs where most distilleries dropped them.

The spirit was distilled for the heavy, meaty spirit Craigellachie is known for, to build a robust, sulphurous, full bodied character. A Madeira cask added raisin and a caramelised nuttiness. Through oxidative maturity esters concentrate, the worm tub weight turning to mango and a waxy depth. The meaty, oily spirit takes cask flavour well while keeping its robust, worm tub weight. 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. The heavy, oily make is prized by blenders for the backbone it gives White Horse.

Bottled at a cask strength 55.7%, it is rich. Meaty malt, tropical fruit and a waxy oil, with plum, red berry and chocolate from the cask. Soft tropical fruit and a waxy malt sit behind the cask. It finishes robust, waxy and warm. This is Craigellachie's robust, oily Speyside style.