2008 A.D.Rattray Cask Collection Craigellachie 6 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Note: This has some lifting to the front label on the tin.

Yet another independent bottler hits Australian shores. Founded by Andrew Dewar Rattray in 1868, A D Rattray began trading as an importer of French wines, Italian spirits and olive oil. More importantly, however, the company also established itself as a specialist in the field of blending and storage of malt and grain whiskies.

After several changes in ownership, the company returned to the family and is presently owned by Mr Tim Morrison, previously of Morrison Bowmore Distillers and fourth generation descendant of Andrew Dewar Rattray. The company’s resurgence came about in 2002 with the bottling of a ‘new’ Stronachie 12yo. In April 2004, using his extensive knowledge and expertise in the whisky industry, Mr Morrison then bottled a selection of his own handpicked stock of whiskies for market release and the A D Rattray Cask Collection was born.

The "Cask Collection" series, whether from a barrel, a hogshead or a butt, represent single cask whiskies made available in extremely limited quantities, often no more than a couple of hundred bottles for each cask.

In this example, the whisky is a very youthful Craigellachie, but don't let the age put you off. Young whisky, particularly at natural strength can offer a dazzling expression of distillery character. Several 6-7 year old Glenrothes we've tasted have been nothing short of extraordinary. Drawn from a Sherry butt, just 704 bottles are on offer. At this direct import pricing the pedigree and value for money are equally hard to resist. According to A.D. Rattray, expect " Creamy toffee, chocolate caramel and walnuts with an exceptionally long finish for a young cask."58% Alc./Vol.