As a cask comes to maturity, Finn curates sampling sessions in interesting and relaxing environments, with friends, whisky experts and trusted partners to discover the personality of each cask and gauge the experience each dram evokes.
All the best distillers pride themselves on crafting whisky with a distinctive flavour, which is determined by the water source, grain and barley, the peat and malting, and their distilling processes. High quality original spirit is integral to every cask we bottle.
The cask itself interacts with the whisky over time. The type of wood plays a big role, as do treatments such as the whiskies are aged in a variety of types of casks. The whiskies are aged in former sherry or bourbon casks, augmenting the cask influence. External conditions such as air temperature, pressure and humidity also interact with the cask producing a knock-on effect that makes the spirit inside unique.
Finn uses these factors to balance each FT whisky experience. He may sample a cask and decide to leave it on the rack, allowing age to further develop its personality. He might decide to re-rack a whisky in a new cask to add a finishing touch. Or, he might simply deem it ready. When Finn decides the flavour is perfectly balanced, it’s time to bottle the whisky.
For me, this 11 Year Old Craigellachie represents both happiness and heartache.
Craigellachie Distillery has held a place in my heart since my early years working on Copper Dog. A single sip of this waxy, textural yet somehow fruity whisky transports me back to happy summers in Speyside, often passing by the vast open windows of the stillhouse, home to the large stills and worm tub condenser that hold the secrets to this distinctive spirit character.
Finished for ten months in one of our Hungarian Tokaji casks, this whisky was the obvious sample to bring with me as I joined the Tartan Army to watch Scotland’s decisive match against Hungary in the 2024 UEFA European Championship. Naturally, I was hoping the beautiful harmony between the candy notes of the Hungarian wine and the waxy character of the Craigellachie spirit would turn out to be the taste of victory. Alas, it ended up as a much more savoury memory - helping to drown our sorrows as the Hungarians dashed Scottish hopes of progressing to the next round. At least the whisky meant I could enjoy one sweet finish.
One of the iconic sights in Scotch whisky are the vast stillhouse windows of Craigellachie Distillery that are opened wide in the Summer months to offer respite to the distillers during the Speyside Summer. Hidden within the view are the large stills and worm tub condenser that share the secrets of the waxy, textural and somehow fruity whisky produced here. Craigellachie is an unapologetic and distinct whisky, robust and muscular in flavour with a hint of pineapple.
I made the decision to emphasise the whisky’s natural sweetness by finishing it in a cask from one of my favourite wine types: Hungarian Tokaji, renowned for its unique traditional production style which uses overripe grapes to create even more sweetness.
The waxy, fruity character of Craigellachie is balanced with the sweetness of the Hungarian Tokaji wine. A warming and textural whisky that evolves in flavour with every second in the glass.
For me, this 11 Year Old Craigellachie represents both happiness and heartache.
Craigellachie Distillery has held a place in my heart since my early years working on Copper Dog. A single sip of this waxy, textural yet somehow fruity whisky transports me back to happy summers in Speyside, often passing by the vast open windows of the stillhouse, home to the large stills and worm tub condenser that hold the secrets to this distinctive spirit character.
Finished for ten months in one of our Hungarian Tokaji casks, this whisky was the obvious sample to bring with me as I joined the Tartan Army to watch Scotland’s decisive match against Hungary in the 2024 UEFA European Championship. Naturally, I was hoping the beautiful harmony between the candy notes of the Hungarian wine and the waxy character of the Craigellachie spirit would turn out to be the taste of victory. Alas, it ended up as a much more savoury memory - helping to drown our sorrows as the Hungarians dashed Scottish hopes of progressing to the next round. At least the whisky meant I could enjoy one sweet finish.
One of the iconic sights in Scotch whisky are the vast stillhouse windows of Craigellachie Distillery that are opened wide in the Summer months to offer respite to the distillers during the Speyside Summer. Hidden within the view are the large stills and worm tub condenser that share the secrets of the waxy, textural and somehow fruity whisky produced here. Craigellachie is an unapologetic and distinct whisky, robust and muscular in flavour with a hint of pineapple.
I made the decision to emphasise the whisky’s natural sweetness by finishing it in a cask from one of my favourite wine types: Hungarian Tokaji, renowned for its unique traditional production style which uses overripe grapes to create even more sweetness.
The waxy, fruity character of Craigellachie is balanced with the sweetness of the Hungarian Tokaji wine. A warming and textural whisky that evolves in flavour with every second in the glass.