Cragganmore 12 - 40%
Distillery notes
Cragganmore 12 Year Old is hugely complex and rich, with layers of flavour and a whiff of smoke in the finish. Speyside today is widely revered for its sublime malt whiskies and for its fine salmon fishing. It is here, in this fertile triangle of land between mountain and sea, long been known as the Garden of Scotland, that Cragganmore single malt whisky is distilled. Nestling on the banks of the legendary salmon river, Cragganmore is, for many, the home of the definitive Speyside malt.
Appearance: Bright gold, forms a thin line which beads before falling as slow, thin legs.
Nose: Heather honey, vanilla, flaked almonds and a wisp of smoke.
Palate: Soft, creamy mouthfeel. Honey, vanilla, caramel, Christmas mixed nuts and a touch of warming spice.
Finish: Nutty oak, gentle smoke and a hint of peppery warmth.
Summary: Whenever someone has asked me for advice on a good introductory whisky, this is the one that always sits at the top of my list. Easy drinking, lovely mouthfeel and a surprising complexity makes this an extremely approachable dram. Yes, it could be argued that a higher abv would be good, but at a price around the £40 mark this is a malt which sits comfortably in the daily dram category and a significant step up from many competing brands. It’s perhaps little wonder then that it regularly features in my own cabinet.
If you would like to know more about Cragganmore and their whiskies, follow the link to the company website.
