Craigellachie 13 Year Old

Craigellachie 13 Year Old is a Speyside single malt from the Craigellachie distillery in Banffshire, set on the rock above the meeting of the Fiddich and the Spey. The distillery still condenses its spirit in traditional worm tubs, an old-fashioned method that adds weight and extra flavour, giving a more robust malt than the region's typical light, floral style. The whisky is first matured in a mix of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, after which half is finished in first-fill sherry casks and half in first-fill bourbon casks. Like every Craigellachie bottling, it is non-chill filtered with no added colouring, and it is bottled at 46% ABV in a 750ml bottle. Expect a muscular, fruit-driven dram with toasty sweetness and a faint smoky edge.

Tasting Notes: toasted marshmallow, roasted pineapple, baked apple, clove, honey, light smoke, citrus

Nose: Toasted marshmallow and fire-roasted pineapple, with clove-spiked baked apple and a faint struck-cordite note.

Palate: Mellow and easy, with gentle smoke and honey-like sweetness.

Finish: Clean, with citrus pith and vanilla spice.

Serve: Neat in a tulip glass, or with a few drops of water to open up the fruit.