Craigellachie 9 Years Old 2014 Cask #30024 (Orcines)

A Craigellachie of a 9 year old chosen by the bottler Orcines, distilled in 2014, from cask 30024, bottled at 46%, one of 322 bottles. Craigellachie is the bold, oily Speyside malt that anchors the White Horse blend. It was rebuilt in 1965, but kept its worm tubs where most distilleries dropped them.

It was made in copper stills whose worm tubs build a robust make, for a bold, meaty Speyside spirit. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak quiet behind the heavy 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. Years in oak round the spirit, the worm tub weight turning to pineapple and wax. Its malt has long been the muscular heart of the White Horse blend. Most of its make still goes to blending, a robust filler prized for its weight. Bacardi's John Dewar and Sons bought it in 1998, alongside Aberfeldy, Aultmore and Royal Brackla.

At an approachable 46% it is soft and easy. Pineapple, malt and a savoury edge, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A dried fruit and a savoury, oily depth give it weight. The finish is long, oily and savoury. This is the worm tub malt of Craigellachie.