Craigellachie 9 Years Old 2004 Hepburn’s Choice (Langside Distillers)

The bottler Langside Distillers bottled this Craigellachie, a 9 year old, distilled in 2004, bottled at 46%, one of 741 bottles. Craigellachie was founded in 1891 by a consortium led by Peter Mackie of White Horse fame. The distillery was founded in 1891 by a group led by Peter Mackie, the man behind the White Horse blend.

Drawn off pot stills cooled by traditional worm tubs, to build a robust, sulphurous, full bodied character. A sherry butt held it, the wood lending raisin and walnut to the robust spirit. 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. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the meaty malt. Water comes from a local spring in the Blue Hill area above the village.

At 46% it is smooth and honeyed. Malt, dried fruit and a savoury oil, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. The mouthfeel is heavy and oily, the fruit carried on a meaty body. A long, oily finish carries a tropical depth. This is a full bodied Speyside single malt of real character.