Craigellachie Exceptional Cask Series – Small Batch – Limited Edition 23 Years Old 1995

An official release of Craigellachie, a 23 year old, from 1995, cask Batch CR 0995, at 46%, 3198 bottles in all. Craigellachie was founded in 1891 by a consortium led by Peter Mackie of White Horse fame. It keeps its worm tub condensers, an old fashioned set up that builds a heavy, meaty, sulphurous spirit.

Worked through stills and worm tubs for a muscular, oily spirit, for an oily, robust make that turns tropical with age. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, vanilla and a tropical fruit over the meaty spirit. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend a drying structure while oxidation builds a richer, waxier fruit. A big sherry cask suits the muscular spirit, dried fruit meeting the meaty weight. It was rebuilt in 1965, but kept its worm tubs where most distilleries dropped them. Most Craigellachie goes quietly into blends, a robust filler kept in part as single malt.

At an approachable 46% it is soft and easy. Malt, dried fruit and a savoury oil, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Beneath it run meaty malt, tropical fruit and a waxy oil. The finish runs meaty, waxy and warm. This is the worm tub malt of Craigellachie.