Cragganmore 22yo 1985/2008 The Single Malts of Scotland

While the rest of the whisky world is flocking towards the Speyside for the annual festival, I am stuck at home… with a so-called metric shit ton of whisky samples from the region. Today’s pick is the well-known but scanty praised Cragganmore from the Diageo stall. Today’s dram is a 22yo from 1985, and don’t look so surprised, a posh reviewer like myself rarely touches the regular stuff.

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Description: distilled in 1985, matured for 22years in hogshead 2461 and bottled for The Single Malts of Scotland at 56.7% ABV

Nose: simple but powerful concoction of oak wood and blood orange juice (It doesn’t need 10 different layers if it knows how to deliver with just two).

Mouth: rich bodies, a tad lightly sour at first, however a powerful palate. More importantly, what’s on it? Blood orange once again, a variety of hard to distinguish spices: cardamom, anise, juniper berry? (your guess is as good as mine), blueberry jam and white chocolate.

Finish: lingering infinitely on: cigar tobacco with a salty touch.

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Verdict: simple nose, hard to break down palate and a delayed special finish. Good god after a few weeks of mediocre drams, this is why I started writing my experiences down. A top act, premium stuff, but unfortunately long gone from the shelves and sold at premium prices.

Find where to buy Cragganmore whisky