Cragganmore Cask of Distinction 38 Years Old 1985

Cragganmore from the distillery, a 38 year old, from 1985, cask 601269, at 45.3%, 174 bottles in all. Cragganmore was built in 1869 beside the Strathspey Railway, a Speyside malt of real depth. Water comes from the Craggan Burn, off the slopes of Craggan More hill.

It was worked through flat topped stills and worm tubs for a meaty, fragrant spirit, building the distinctive Cragganmore style. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the gentle oak letting the fragrant, meaty spirit lead. At a great, fragile age oxidation rules, sotolon lending maple and old oak as leather and a savoury depth linger. Most Cragganmore goes quietly into blends like Old Parr, a little kept as single malt. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the fragrant, savoury core over the years. It was chosen in 1988 as the Speyside member of Diageo's original Classic Malts. It is often called one of the most complex of all the Speyside malts.

At 45.3% it is smooth and honeyed. Apple, dried fruit and a meaty edge, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A baked fruit and a warm spice lift it. It finishes complex, malty and warm. This is the savoury, complex malt of Ballindalloch.