Craigellachie 23 Years Old Cask #Batch 67-KA23

An official release of Craigellachie, a 23 year old, cask Batch 67-KA23, at 46%. Craigellachie is a Speyside distillery in the village of the same name, famous for its muscular, meaty single malt. Most of its make still goes to blending, a robust filler prized for its weight.

Distilled in copper stills with worm tub condensers on Blue Hill spring water, to build a robust, sulphurous, full bodied character. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the oak letting the oily, robust character lead. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend a drying structure while oxidation builds a richer, waxier fruit. The meaty, oily spirit takes cask flavour well while keeping its robust, worm tub weight. Long ageing turns the young, sulphurous spirit towards mango, wax and a warm spice. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the oily, tropical core over the years.

Reduced to 46%, it is mellow. Pineapple, malt and a savoury edge, with a soft vanilla from the oak. The texture is full and oily, the fruit lifted by a meaty weight. Tropical fruit, malt and a savoury oak see out the finish. This is the worm tub malt of Craigellachie.