Craigellachie 19 Years Old 1993 (Connoisseurs Choice)

A 19 year old Craigellachie from the Elgin house Gordon and MacPhail, distilled in 1993, bottled at 46%. Craigellachie was built in 1891 and is one of the few distilleries still using worm tubs. Bacardi's John Dewar and Sons bought it in 1998, alongside Aberfeldy, Aultmore and Royal Brackla.

Run through the distillery's stills and old fashioned worm tubs, giving the heavy, oily spirit at its heart. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, vanilla and a tropical fruit over the meaty spirit. 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. The meaty, oily spirit takes cask flavour well while keeping its robust, worm tub weight. The heavy, oily make is prized by blenders for the backbone it gives White Horse.

Bottled at 46%, it is rounded. Malt, dried fruit and a savoury oil, with a soft vanilla from the oak. The texture is full and oily, the fruit lifted by a meaty weight. A long, oily finish carries a tropical depth. This is Craigellachie, the meaty heart of White Horse.