Cragganmore Limited Release

A Cragganmore, a distillery bottling, at 55.7%, 4932 bottles in all. Cragganmore, on the River Spey at Ballindalloch, is the heart malt of the Old Parr blend. Worm tub condensers give the spirit a meaty weight, balanced by the reflux of the flat topped stills.

It was worked through flat topped stills and worm tubs for a meaty, fragrant spirit, building the distinctive Cragganmore style. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the gentle oak letting the fragrant, meaty spirit lead. Carrying no age, soft vanillin (vanilla) and a fragrant, meaty malt suggest a fair spell in cask. The cool Speyside air gives a slow, even maturation, the flat topped stills' complexity deepening. The distillery was founded in 1869 by John Smith, the most experienced distiller of his day, who had run Macallan, Glenlivet and Glenfarclas. Long ageing turns the fresh fruit towards dried fruit, fig, leather and a warm spice.

At a natural 55.7% it is full and honeyed. Apple, dried fruit and a meaty edge, with a soft vanilla from the oak. The mouthfeel is full, the fruit carried on a meaty, malty body. The close is long, fruit over a complex malt. This is a complex, malty Speyside single malt.