2010 Craigellachie, AD Rattray 16 yo 55.8%

At the confluence of the Spey and Fiddich rivers, Craigellachie sits at the beating heart of Speyside. Like many distilleries, it’s a product of the 19th century whisky boom, but unlike many it survived the ensuing bust. Since then it has kept a relatively low profile, but produces a very fine spirit. This mature 16-year-old malt spent twelve years in a bourbon hogshead, followed by another four in a Pedro Ximenez sherry barrique, and it’s rich, sweet, complex and rounded. It has very Speyside notes of confectionary, custard and butter, supported by wax and camphor, and a dash of water brings out a veritable spice-cabinet’s worth of complexity. Beautiful. (NT 03/07/26)