Craigellachie 13 years ex Bourbon cask by Hart Brothers 56.5% 700ml

Right in the centre of the Dufftown distillery cluster is the Craigellachie distillery. Huge, straight necked stills lead to the traditional worm tub condensers which kick out some of the meatiest and most sulphury in Scotland. Such rich and characterful spirit needs a good amount of timber to balance out these flavours. This particular bottling has picked up a lot of biscuity flavours and sweet vanillans from the ex-bourbon cask it was aged in. Delicious!

Nose: Memories of concrete jetties on the ocean. Lemon zest and chicken stock follow swiftly, with crisp williamson pears in the background.
Palate: Thick chicken stock gravy is followed by a milk bottle sweetness. Toasted coconut and green jelly snakes on the back palate.
Finish: Classic Craigellachie; beef stock a-plenty!

Hart Brothers can trace their origins in the licensed trade back to the late 19th century when the family were licensed victuallers and publicans in Paisley, the mill town on the outskirts of Glasgow. It was not until 1964 that brothers Iain & Donald Hart incorporated the company as Wine & Spirit Wholesalers and Scotch Whisky Blenders. Alistair Hart joined the company in 1975 and it was his responsibility as chief blender to source vintage casks of single malt whisky that were not readily available through any specialist whisky shop or online whisky site.