Cragganmore 12 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Cragganmore 12 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Cragganmore is often considered to be one of the most Speyside of Speysides Whisky’s.
This Malt displays all the hallmarks of the region from the elegant sweet, floral aromas to a soft, fruity yet complex pallet. Cragganmore does indeed tick all of the boxes a Speysider should, however this 12 year old malt does more than stamp your passport. Cragganmore introduces you to other elements that are far too understated in some of the more well-known and over marketed malts from the Speyside region.  One of the things to set Cragganmore apart from the bunch is the pronounced smokiness. Not in an overt Islay style way but a far more sweetness balancing way and not at all out of place

Appearance:  Amber +1, E150a (Caramel color) probably,  Chill filtered almost defiantly (No scotch haze with water)

Nose:  Vanilla, Honey, bubble gum, Fresh stone fruit, citrus, a hint of marzipan and distinctly Smokey (Slightly medicinal, perhaps Iodine).  

Pallet: Delivery is sweet with flavors of Honey, vanilla bean, marshmallow, rock Mellon, cola. The smoke is prominent right from the start. It then develops with mellow and a noticeable cereal graininess that acts like a calming influence over the immediate sweet notes. Then try to keep up as Cragganmore moves on, threatening to leave you behind, as black tea, quickly transitions to a smokey bitterness. Only to taste, the smokiness is almost hop like in its influence as a bitterness develops. The flavor profile in this malt is distinct but fleeting leaving you taking sip after sip trying to identify exactly what “that” was. 

Body:  Light and refined, no hint of oiliness with a dry and comfortable finish     

Conclusion:  Is this the final answer in terms of Speyside Whisky’s? Absolutely not. Is it the most expensive 12yo Speyside? Absolutely not. If I purchase this malt will I know everything there is to know about Speyside Whisky? Absolutely not.  What Cragganmore  represents, is a big step in the right direction. This is not a big $$$ Malt. This is a malt that opens your eyes and teases your pallet to the world beyond the liquor store mass marketed Fathers Day gift malts. Would I recommend Cragganmore 12 year old? Absolutely    

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