Cragganmore 21 Years Old 1989 Cask #ES 001/01 (Edition Spirits)

From Edition Spirits, a 21 year old Cragganmore, distilled in 1989, from cask ES 001/01, bottled at 55.4%. Cragganmore was built in 1869 beside the Strathspey Railway, a Speyside malt of real depth. It is often called one of the most complex of all the Speyside malts.

It was made in copper stills whose flat tops build a complex make, building the distinctive Cragganmore style. A bourbon barrel held it, vanilla and a soft spice over the meaty malt. 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. Its malt has long been the heart of the Old Parr and McCallum's blends. It was chosen in 1988 as the Speyside member of Diageo's original Classic Malts. The meaty, fragrant make rewards a long, patient maturation.

At a hearty 55.4% it carries real weight. A rich, complex maltiness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Beneath it run dried fruit, malt and a savoury edge. A long, fragrant finish carries a savoury depth. This is a complex, malty Speyside single malt.