Cragganmore 12 Years Old 1988 (SMWS 37.16)

From the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, a 12 year old Cragganmore, distilled in 1988, from cask 37.16, bottled at 60.7%, one of 291 bottles. Cragganmore was founded in 1869 by the master distiller John Smith, the first distillery built to use the railway. It was chosen in 1988 as the Speyside member of Diageo's original Classic Malts.

It was drawn off flat topped stills cooled by worm tubs, for a full, complex Speyside spirit. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the gentle oak letting the fragrant, meaty spirit lead. By the integrating teens congeners fade and esters build, the complex, fragrant spirit growing rounder. Refill oak lets the complex Cragganmore character lead, malt and dried fruit beneath. Water comes from the Craggan Burn, off the slopes of Craggan More hill. Most Cragganmore goes quietly into blends like Old Parr, a little kept as single malt. The Distillers Edition is finished in Port wood, the house double matured expression.

At its natural 60.7% it is concentrated. A complex, malty fruitiness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A baked fruit and a warm spice lift it. The finish is long, complex and savoury. This is the savoury, complex malt of Ballindalloch.