Cragganmore 19 Years Old 2003 (SMWS 37.138)

From the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, a 19 year old Cragganmore, distilled in 2003, from cask 37.138, bottled at 56.4%, one of 228 bottles. Cragganmore is a Diageo Speyside distillery whose flat topped stills give a famously complex spirit. The distillery was founded in 1869 by John Smith, the most experienced distiller of his day, who had run Macallan, Glenlivet and Glenfarclas.

It was run through the distillery's unusual flat topped wide neck stills, for a meaty, fragrant make of real depth. A sherry cask wrapped the complex spirit in dried fruit and a nutty depth. Through oxidative maturity esters concentrate, fruit turning to dried fruit over a complex, malty body. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the meaty malt. Most of its make goes to blending, with a twelve year old the flagship single malt. Water comes from the Craggan Burn, off the slopes of Craggan More hill.

At 56.4%, undiluted, it is deep and fruity. A complex, malty fruitiness, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. Dried fruit, malt and a herbal spice fill the middle. A long, fragrant finish carries a savoury depth. This is one of the most complex of the Speyside malts.