CRAIGELLACHIE 13YR

Toasted marshmallow, roasted pineapple, and a sharp cordite edge — Craigellachie 13 is immediately distinct from the floral, polished norm of Speyside. That character comes from a deliberate refusal to modernize: the distillery, built in 1891, still uses worm tub condensers, which retain more sulfurous, meaty congeners that most producers strip out. Matured in a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, the bourbon wood delivers vanilla and toffee while the sherry contribution adds richness and depth. The finish is long, oily, and slightly briny.