Cragganmore 15 Years Old 1998 Cask #DL 10063 (Old Particular)

This Cragganmore was bottled by the Glasgow bottler Douglas Laing, a 15 year old, distilled in 1998, from cask DL 10063, bottled at 48.4%, one of 336 bottles. Cragganmore, on the River Spey at Ballindalloch, is the heart malt of the Old Parr blend. The distillery sits at Ballindalloch on the River Spey, in the heart of Speyside.

It was distilled for the complex, fragrant spirit Cragganmore is known for, giving the meaty, malty spirit at its heart. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the gentle oak letting the fragrant, meaty spirit lead. Into oxidative maturity, slow air ingress builds fruity ethyl esters (apple and dried fruit) over the meaty, malty depth. The complex, fragrant spirit takes cask flavour well while keeping its meaty, malty core. Worm tubs gave the new spirit its weight, the cask then drawing out fruit and depth. The Distillers Edition is finished in Port wood, the house double matured expression.

At cask strength 48.4% it is full bodied. Malt, dried fruit and a herbal spice, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Beneath it run dried fruit, malt and a savoury edge. The finish is long, complex and savoury. This is Cragganmore, the heart of Old Parr.