Cragganmore 26 Years Old 1995 Old & Rare A Platinum Selection (Hunter Laing)

A 26 year old Cragganmore from the independent Hunter Laing, distilled in 1995, bottled at 54.8%, one of 300 bottles. Cragganmore is a meaty, fragrant Speyside malt made on flat topped stills and worm tubs. Water comes from the Craggan Burn, off the slopes of Craggan More hill.

Made in copper stills whose flat tops build a complex make, for a meaty, fragrant make of real depth. A Pedro Ximenez cask added raisin, date and a treacle sweetness. Oxidative, evaporative ageing turns the malt deep and complex, ethereal esters and a faint sotolon (maple). Most Cragganmore goes quietly into blends like Old Parr, a little kept as single malt. Worm tubs gave the new spirit its weight, the cask then drawing out fruit and depth. Long ageing turns the fresh fruit towards dried fruit, fig, leather and a warm spice. Worm tub condensers give the spirit a meaty weight, balanced by the reflux of the flat topped stills.

At 54.8%, undiluted, it is deep and fruity. Baked fruit, honey and a savoury depth, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. A baked fruit and a warm spice lift it. Dried fruit, malt and a savoury oak see out the finish. This is the complex Speyside Classic Malt of Cragganmore.