This is a 12-year-old age-stated release from Cragganmore, one of Diageo's Classic Malts. Cragganmore lies in the Speyside region and features some proportion of sherried malt.
Not super complex, but entirely enjoyable. I am sort of kicking myself for taking so long to try this, and I thoroughly enjoyed working through this bottle. It won't blow your mind, but not every dram needs to.
Palate entry is round, borderline plump, breakfast-cereal sweet, and honeyed; at midpalate, there's a slightly oily peat smoke. Sweetly concludes with the focus on the malt.
This would be fantastic at a higher abv, but that can be experienced in the several special editions or independent bottlings available for those willing to do some sleuthing.
Many Classic Malts remained as good, some ever better than earlier versions, but I’m not sure that’s the case with little Cragganmore. Next year, perhaps?
Medium mouth feel, no real heat. Sweet toffee and caramel, light vanilla bean. Light toasted almonds. Faint oak presence, some sweet, bready notes. Light icing.
Finish:
Short, but no heat here, either. Caramel apple, almonds, vanilla, toffee.
Overall:
Not super complex, but entirely enjoyable. I am sort of kicking myself for taking so long to try this, and I thoroughly enjoyed working through this bottle. It won't blow your mind, but not every dram needs to.
Score:
80
By t8ke
Our in house critic rates spirits on a scale of 0-10 (10 best) and is aggregated the same as external sources
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