Craigellachie Exceptional Cask Series 21 Years Old 1999

This official Craigellachie, a 21 year old, from 1999, cask CR0899, at 46%, 1542 bottles in all. Craigellachie is a Speyside distillery in the village of the same name, famous for its muscular, meaty single malt. Most of its make still goes to blending, a robust filler prized for its weight.

The spirit was distilled in copper stills with worm tub condensers on Blue Hill spring water, for the muscular, meaty make Craigellachie is known for. An Oloroso hogshead lent fig, raisin and a savoury, nutty edge. In the oxidative middle years oxidation draws out a deeper tropical fruit, vanillin and lactones fully expressed. Worm tubs give little copper contact, so the new spirit is heavy and full, mellowing with time. Its malt has long been the muscular heart of the White Horse blend. The cool Speyside air gives a slow, even maturation, the young sulphur fading to fruit.

Reduced to 46%, it is mellow. Pineapple, malt and a savoury edge, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. A dried fruit and a savoury, oily depth give it weight. The close is long, fruit over a meaty malt. This is the worm tub malt of Craigellachie.