Cragganmore 12 Years
Cragganmore focuses on the production of single malt whisky for blends. Some of the whisky from the Speysider distillery can be found, for example, in the Johnnie Walker Green Label and the Johnnie Walker Blue Label. So are the distillery's own bottlings to be enjoyed at all?The Cragganmore 12 belongs to the Classic Malts of Scotland. The distillery regularly bottles a Distillers Edition of the same. Unless a special release or a rare 25-years bottling is released, we have to be satisfied with the first two.
Tasting Notes
Nose
We get a strong smell of honey and butterscotch in the nose. After a while, we notice malty cereal notes in the middle part, while floral notes opening up a little further back.
Palate
Our first impression here is semolina pudding with pear puree - very intense. The Scotch is malty sweet with a good portion of vanilla. Characterised by pleasant oak, we have a discreet wood smoke, which is rounded off by cereal notes.
Finish
We would describe the sweet-bitter, slightly woody-spicy finish as a short trip rather than a long journey.
Thoughts
Marcel 68/100
The Cragganmore 12 is a charming everyday companion with its sweet, malty profile and subtle smoke that never becomes intrusive. For a whisky mostly used in blends, it surprises with pleasant drinkability and a hint of pear pudding – not spectacular, but likeable. A solid introduction to the world of Speyside that could certainly show a bit more personality.
Sascha 74/100
With a balanced interplay of sweet vanilla notes, malty-grainy structure, and a delicate touch of oak, the Cragganmore 12 presents itself as a technically clean Speyside malt. The finish is rather short and lightly woody-spicy, which makes the whisky clearly structured but somewhat unremarkable – ideal for fans of classic, straightforward single malts who aren’t looking for complex dram experiences.
Value for Money: Good
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76/100Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Cragganmore 12 often used in blended whiskies?
Cragganmore 12 provides a balanced base with its malty, honey, and butter toffee notes, adding complexity and flavor diversity to blends like Johnnie Walker Green and Blue Label.
How does Cragganmore 12 differ from other Speyside whiskies?
Cragganmore 12 stands out through its combination of malty sweetness, floral notes, and a subtle wood smoke, making it somewhat more complex and smoky than many other Speyside whiskies, which tend to be lighter and fruitier.
What makes the finish of Cragganmore 12 special?
The finish is sweet-bitter and lightly woody-spicy, rather short and crisp, making it a pleasant experience without feeling too long or overwhelming.