Cragganmore 15 Years Old 1973 (Connoisseurs Choice)

This Cragganmore was bottled by the Elgin house Gordon and MacPhail, a 15 year old, distilled in 1973, bottled at 40%. Cragganmore is a fragrant, complex Speyside single malt from Ballindalloch on the Spey. The distillery was founded in 1869 by John Smith, the most experienced distiller of his day, who had run Macallan, Glenlivet and Glenfarclas.

Distilled in flat topped stills with worm tub condensers on Craggan Burn water, building the distinctive Cragganmore style. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, vanilla and a soft honey behind the complex malt. In the oxidative middle years oxidation draws out a deeper dried fruit, vanillin and lactones fully expressed. A Port wood finish, the Distillers Edition style, adds plum and dark berry to the malt. Refill oak lets the complex Cragganmore character lead, malt and dried fruit beneath. Its malt has long been the heart of the Old Parr and McCallum's blends.

Bottled at 40%, it is rounded. Apple, dried fruit and a meaty edge, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A baked fruit and a warm spice lift it. The finish is deep, fragrant and savoury. This is a complex, malty Speyside single malt.