2009 Dalgety Craigellachie Small Batch 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

On the younger side, Craigellachie can be a spicy little number which takes some adjusting to. So surprisingly, this is one of the more settled in the Dalgety line up, possibly because the ABV is relatively low for a natural strength twelve year old. If the distillery's fruity character is a bit subdued, there are other pleasures to discover in this delicious alternative expression. Key notes of dark chocolate, hazelnut, rich malt and zesty peel develop; add a splash of water and there's cream sponge cake and milk chocolate. It's a satisfying dram that merges Oloroso with the distillery's butch distillate - the two make a happy marriage. 49.9% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered. 600 bottles from an oloroso hogshead and a refill hogshead.

Notes from the bottlers... Demerara sugar, mixed peel, cloves and red cherry.