Craigellachie 16 Years Old 2009 Cask #209 (Signatory)

A 16 year old Craigellachie from the Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage, distilled in 2009, from cask 209, bottled at 55.9%, one of 306 bottles. Craigellachie is a Bacardi owned Speyside distillery whose worm tubs give a heavy, meaty spirit. Worm tubs give little copper contact, so the new spirit is robust and full, mellowing to tropical fruit with age.

It was worked through stills and worm tubs for a muscular, oily spirit, giving the heavy, oily spirit at its heart. A bourbon barrel held it, vanilla and a soft spice over the oily malt. Through oxidative maturity esters concentrate, the worm tub weight turning to mango and a waxy depth. The robust make rewards long ageing, the meatiness giving way to tropical fruit. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the oily, tropical core over the years. It keeps its worm tub condensers, an old fashioned set up that builds a heavy, meaty, sulphurous spirit.

At a natural 55.9% it is full and honeyed. Meaty malt, tropical fruit and a waxy oil, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Pineapple, malt and a savoury wax fill the middle. The finish runs meaty, waxy and warm. This is an oily, tropical Speyside single malt.