A fifth distillery release of the Cragganmore in this series, and interesting to compare with a 21 year old released in 2010 and especially with a 17 year old from 2006. A wonderful balance between sweet and dry – splendidly mature, serious and intriguing, and full of exciting and evocative flavours – which has a depth and structure worthy of study.
Speyside.
Rich antique gold, amber lights. Good beading.
Initially cautious, with soft hints of ripe red apple, then a vibrant combination of dried figs and polished leather. Heady floral notes, like old-school French fragrances run under.
Medium, creamy.
It’s immediate and cooling, then smooth and savoury. After a warming, sweet raisiny level, it begins to acquire a lovely depth, with smoothly integrated oak, cocoa and cherry tartness.
Medium in length with elegant, silky and unctuous tannins. Suggestions of fruit, nuts, savoury meats and scented cellar wood. Softer with water; pleasantly winey and with more late hints of mature oak.
Make: CragganmoreTM
Age: 25 Years Old
Strength: 51.4% ABV
Place of Origin: Ballindalloch
Region: Speyside
Initially cautious, with soft hints of ripe red apple, then opening to reveal an astonishingly full, complex and vibrant combination of dried figs and raisins, damson jam, banana skin, polished leather and wood, sandalwood and muscovado sugar. Or you may find orange oil, honey, confectioners’ honeycomb, sweet malted cereals and even mango in a creamy syllabub! Then heady floral notes, like old-school French fragrances and suddenly old wooden fruit boxes with Brazil nuts, dates and dried figs. More Speyside character emerges with water, when it is softer and beautifully balanced but inevitably less complex, now with scents of banana pan-fried in butter, with brown sugar, and more pronounced hints of leather.
Dry overall after a sweet start, with flavours to match the complexity of the nose, and a pleasant texture and taste. It’s immediate and cooling, then smooth, with salty, savoury elements right at the outset. Passing through a warming, sweet raisiny level, it begins to acquire a lovely depth, with smoothly integrated oak, cocoa and balancing black cherry tartness. Again, it’s softer with water.