Craigellachie 16 Years Old 2005 Cask #2 (High Spirits Distribution)

A 16 year old Craigellachie from the bottler High Spirits Distribution, distilled in 2005, from cask 2, bottled at 50%, one of 798 bottles. Craigellachie, where the Fiddich meets the Spey, is the meaty backbone of the White Horse blend. Most of its make still goes to blending, a robust filler prized for its weight.

The spirit was made in copper stills whose worm tubs build a robust make, for the muscular, meaty make Craigellachie is known for. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak quiet behind the heavy spirit. Through oxidative maturity esters concentrate, the worm tub weight turning to mango and a waxy depth. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the meaty malt. It sits at the village of Craigellachie, where the River Fiddich joins the Spey by Telford's iron bridge. With age the meaty young spirit turns to pineapple, mango and a waxy depth.

Bottled at a cask strength 50%, it is rich. A robust, oily fruitiness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. The mouthfeel is heavy and oily, the fruit carried on a meaty body. A long, oily finish carries a tropical depth. This is the worm tub malt of Craigellachie.