Cragganmore 37 Years Old 1986 Whisky Sponge (Decadent Drinks)

The independent Decadent Drinks bottled this Cragganmore, a 37 year old, distilled in 1986, bottled at 52.9%, one of 72 bottles. Cragganmore is a fragrant, complex Speyside single malt from Ballindalloch on the Spey. 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 the complex, fragrant make Cragganmore is known for. A Port pipe laid red fruit and a chocolate note over the complex malt. At a great, fragile age oxidation rules, sotolon lending maple and old oak as leather and a savoury depth linger. The cool Speyside air gives a slow, even maturation, the flat topped stills' complexity deepening. Long ageing turns the fresh fruit towards dried fruit, fig, leather and a warm spice. Cragganmore is reckoned among the most complex of all the Speyside malts.

At cask strength 52.9% it is full bodied. Baked fruit, honey and a savoury depth, with plum, red berry and chocolate from the cask. Dried fruit, malt and a herbal spice fill the middle. A full, malty finish ends on dried fruit and a warm spice. This is Cragganmore, the heart of Old Parr.