Craigellachie 8 Years Old 2013 Cask Series 015 (North Star)

From the bottler North Star Spirits, an 8 year old Craigellachie, distilled in 2013, bottled at 58.8%, one of 267 bottles. Craigellachie is a robust, oily Speyside single malt made on worm tub condensers. 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, giving the heavy, oily spirit at its heart. A sherry cask wrapped the muscular spirit in dried fruit and a nutty depth. At an extractive age eugenol lends a clove note and lactones a coconut, the spirit heavy, oily and robust. The robust make rewards long ageing, the meatiness giving way to tropical fruit. The distillery was founded in 1891 by a group led by Peter Mackie, the man behind the White Horse blend. Worm tubs give little copper contact, so the new spirit is heavy and full, mellowing with time.

At its natural 58.8% it is concentrated. Pineapple, malt and a savoury edge, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. Beneath it run meaty malt, tropical fruit and a waxy oil. The finish is deep, oily and savoury. This is the worm tub malt of Craigellachie.