Cragganmore 30 Years Old 1989 Old & Rare A Platinum Selection (Hunter Laing)

The independent Hunter Laing bottled this Cragganmore, a 30 year old, distilled in 1989, bottled at 51.4%, one of 328 bottles. Cragganmore is a Diageo Speyside distillery whose flat topped stills give a famously complex spirit. The distillery sits at Ballindalloch on the River Spey, in the heart of Speyside.

The spirit was distilled in flat topped stills with worm tub condensers on Craggan Burn water, for a meaty, fragrant make of real depth. A Pedro Ximenez cask added raisin, date and a treacle sweetness. At a great, fragile age oxidation rules, sotolon lending maple and old oak as leather and a savoury depth linger. Refill oak lets the complex Cragganmore character lead, malt and dried fruit beneath. It was chosen in 1988 as the Speyside member of Diageo's original Classic Malts. A Port wood finish, the Distillers Edition style, adds plum and dark berry to the malt.

At cask strength 51.4% it is full bodied. Apple, dried fruit and a meaty edge, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. A dried fruit and a malty depth give it weight. The finish is long, complex and savoury. This is a fragrant Speyside single malt of real depth.