Craigellachie 8 Years Old 1999 Gifted Stills (Jean Boyer)

The bottler Jean Boyer bottled this Craigellachie, an 8 year old, distilled in 1999, bottled at 43%. Craigellachie is the bold, oily Speyside malt that anchors the White Horse blend. 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. Maturation in an Oloroso cask laid dried fruit over the meaty, oily malt. At an extractive age eugenol lends a clove note and lactones a coconut, the spirit heavy, oily and robust. Craigellachie is one of the last Speyside malts still built on worm tubs. The cool Speyside air gives a slow, even maturation, the young sulphur fading to fruit. With age the meaty young spirit turns to pineapple, mango and a waxy depth. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the oily, tropical core over the years.

At an approachable 43% it is soft and easy. A heavy, oily maltiness, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Pineapple, malt and a savoury wax fill the middle. The finish is deep, oily and savoury. This is the worm tub malt of Craigellachie.