Cragganmore 12 Years Old (40%, OB, 2014)

• Speyside single malt scotch whisky
• 40% ABV, £33.83
• Score: 84/100

What they say:

Nestling on the banks of the legendary salmon river, Cragganmore is, for many, the home of the definitive Speyside malt. Hugely complex, rich with layers of flavour and a whiff of smoke in the finish.

APPEARANCE: Gold

NOSE: A combination of sweet floral fragrances, riverside herbs and flowers with some honey and vanilla.

“The most complex nose of any malt whisky.” Michael Jackson, Whisky Writer

BODY: Firm, rounded, light to medium.

PALATE: A strong malty taste with hints of sweet wood smoke and sandalwood

FINISH: A long, malt-driven finish with light smoke and hints of sweetness.

What I say:

One of my early favoured bottles during my journey through the whiskies of Scotland. I managed to polish off a bottle of Cragganmore 12 very quickly as it is so drinkable. We also sampled this during Water of Life Society (WoLS) meeting 27/02/2014 – Whisky and Cheese Pairing where it was paired with Brie, a soft cow’s milk cheese named after Brie, the French region from which it originated, / mild in flavour and slightly salty this is the perfect companion for delicately flavoured whisky such as Cragganmore.

Colour:

Light Gold

Nose:

Sweet and floral

Taste:

 Cereal barley, woody and delicate – mild and smooth

Finish:

Short and delicate