Cragganmore 30 Years Old 1985 Old & Rare A Platinum Selection (Hunter Laing)

The independent Hunter Laing bottled this Cragganmore, a 30 year old, distilled in 1985, bottled at 50.3%. Cragganmore is a Diageo Speyside distillery whose flat topped stills give a famously complex spirit. It was chosen in 1988 as the Speyside member of Diageo's original Classic Malts.

It was distilled in flat topped stills with worm tub condensers on Craggan Burn water, to build a complex, savoury, fragrant character. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the gentle oak letting the fragrant, meaty spirit lead. Ethereal and old, decades draw the malt to a complex, waxy depth of sotolon, old oak and dried fruit. Years in oak round the spirit, the fruit deepening to dried fruit and a savoury spice. The complex, fragrant spirit takes cask flavour well while keeping its meaty, malty core. Cragganmore is reckoned among the most complex of all the Speyside malts. Refill oak lets the complex Cragganmore character lead, malt and dried fruit beneath.

Bottled at a cask strength 50.3%, it is rich. Baked fruit, honey and a savoury depth, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Beneath it run dried fruit, malt and a savoury edge. The finish runs fragrant, meaty and warm. This is Cragganmore, the heart of Old Parr.