I was pleasantly surprised with the ‘regular’ Cragganmore 12 Year Old (although I’ve not yet made formal tasting notes for it, which I should do one day). So the expectations were that this Distillers Edition from 1997, bottled in 2010 would be similarly pleasant. The bottle code CggD-6562 is a bit of a riddle to me, but I do remember from last December (when I first tasted it), that it was a portwine cask finished whisky – which probably explains the wonderfully full golden color of the liquid.
The nose is very waxy and sturdy with pot pourri, freshly mown grass, green sour apples and oranges and a big trace of smoke. Vanilla and licquorice in the background. Pleasant and inviting.
On the palate, it’s a little bit oily and very piquant. The sour fruit from the nose returns (tangerines?), supported by a handful of woodspice. Nice.
The finish is medium in lenght and spicy.
Not a bad whisky at all, feisty despite the low ABV. Truly an Indian summer dram.
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