Craigellachie 16 Years Old 2009 Cask #205 (Signatory)

A Craigellachie of a 16 year old chosen by the Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage, distilled in 2009, from cask 205, bottled at 55.2%, one of 303 bottles. Craigellachie is a Bacardi owned Speyside distillery whose worm tubs give a heavy, meaty spirit. The official range runs a thirteen, seventeen and twenty three year old, with rare older bottlings.

Worked through stills and worm tubs for a muscular, oily spirit, for the muscular, meaty make Craigellachie is known for. A bourbon barrel held it, vanilla and a soft spice over the oily malt. At oxidative maturity aldehydes and esters lend tropical fruit while ellagitannins add a drying, savoury grip. The robust make rewards long ageing, the meatiness giving way to tropical fruit. With age the meaty young spirit turns to pineapple, mango and a waxy depth. Most Craigellachie goes quietly into blends, a robust filler kept in part as single malt.

At its natural 55.2% it is concentrated. Mango, wax and a meaty depth, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A dried fruit and a savoury, oily depth give it weight. A robust, malty finish ends on tropical fruit and a warm spice. This is the worm tub malt of Craigellachie.