Craigellachie 18 Years Old 2007 Cask #900679A (The Caskhound)

A Craigellachie of an 18 year old chosen by the bottler The Caskhound, distilled in 2007, from cask 900679A, bottled at 53.7%, one of 215 bottles. Craigellachie is the bold, oily Speyside malt that anchors the White Horse blend. The distillery was founded in 1891 by a group led by Peter Mackie, the man behind the White Horse blend.

Made in copper stills whose worm tubs build a robust make, to build a robust, sulphurous, full bodied character. A sherry butt held it, the wood lending raisin and walnut to the robust spirit. Into oxidative maturity, slow air ingress builds fruity ethyl esters (pineapple and mango) over the oily, meaty depth. The cool Speyside air gives a slow, even maturation, the young sulphur fading to fruit. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the meaty malt. Most Craigellachie goes quietly into blends, a robust filler kept in part as single malt.

At a hearty 53.7% it carries real weight. Pineapple, malt and a savoury edge, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. The mouthfeel is heavy and oily, the fruit carried on a meaty body. A long, oily finish carries a tropical depth. This is the muscular, meaty Speyside malt of Craigellachie.