Craigellachie 8 Years Old 2008 Cask #9452 (The Vintage Malt Whisky Co Ltd.)

From the bottler The Vintage Malt Whisky Co Ltd, an 8 year old Craigellachie, distilled in 2008, from cask 9452, bottled at 56%, one of 345 bottles. Craigellachie was built in 1891 and is one of the few distilleries still using worm tubs. The distillery was founded in 1891 by a group led by Peter Mackie, the man behind the White Horse blend.

The spirit was made in copper stills whose worm tubs build a robust make, for the muscular, meaty make Craigellachie is known for. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the oak letting the oily, robust character lead. Young and extractive, the cask sheds vanillin (vanilla) and toasted sugars (light caramel) over the meaty spirit, the worm tub character still struck match sharp. The cool Speyside air gives a slow, even maturation, the young sulphur fading to fruit. The official range runs a thirteen, seventeen and twenty three year old, with rare older bottlings.

At cask strength 56% it is full bodied. 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. It finishes robust, waxy and warm. This is one of Speyside's most robust single malts.