alexey
Cragganmore 12 Year
Single Malt — Speyside, Scotland
Reviewed
September 7, 2020 (edited June 4, 2022)
This one comes from the village of Ballindalloch in Banshire, Scotland, and is supposed to be a “classic” Speyside single malt. The stills used in the distillation are unique in that they are short and have a flat top, which contributes to the rich aroma. Unfortunately the distillery that was found in 1869 by John Smith (what a unique name!) is now owned by Diageo, and like most Diageo products, it is aimed at an “average” consumer, i.e., this is bottled at 40% ABV, chill-filtered, and with caramel color added. Oh well...
The viscosity is medium-low, kind of expected for this little alcohol in the dram. It’s clear and the color is gold - what you would expect from an 18-year-old, but definitely too dark for the 12. The nose is floral, aromatic, delicate, but not shy. There’s a touch of smokiness to it as well, lingering on the back. Arrival is very smooth, creamy, and the palate is rich and round. There’s a lot going on. Raisins, sultanas, honey, some pepper, vanilla, banana, there’s a touch of smoke and some lemon zest. Finish is kind of short, with some bitter vanilla and lingering caramel. Delicious. Though the bottle doesn’t state it, it seems like this was matured in refill bourbon casks. It’s quite delicate, not overpowered by oakiness, and I don’t sense any sherry in there.
I’m hesitant to add water as this is already at 40% ABV, and it seems like it would be easy to drown it. Indeed, water mellows it out without adding much dimension to this dram. I would skip water next time.
Overall, I’m very happy with this dram. It’s complex, it’s very well balanced, it would appeal to both novices and enthusiasts alike. I wish this had higher ABV as this usually allows to extract even more flavor, but it is what it is, and maybe that’s how Laura Vernon (their current master distiller) wanted it. I paid $68 for this online, and it’s kind of expensive for the 12-year-old “consumer-friendly” dram, but I think it’s completely worth it. I would recommend this and would buy this again for myself.
68.0
USD
per
Bottle
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Yeah it seems overpriced but then you drink some and realize how delicious it is