Craigellachie 17 Years Old 2008 Cask #7547103 (Duncan Taylor)

The Huntly bottler Duncan Taylor bottled this Craigellachie, a 17 year old, distilled in 2008, from cask 7547103, bottled at 54%, one of 63 bottles. Craigellachie is an old fashioned Speyside malt, full bodied and sulphurous in youth, tropical with age. 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, to build a robust, sulphurous, full bodied character. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding vanilla and a waxy tropical fruit. At oxidative maturity aldehydes and esters lend tropical fruit while ellagitannins add a drying, savoury grip. Refill oak lets the muscular Craigellachie character lead, malt and tropical fruit beneath. 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.

At a hearty 54% it carries real weight. A muscular, waxy sweetness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Pineapple, malt and a savoury wax fill the middle. The finish is deep, oily and savoury. This is the worm tub malt of Craigellachie.