Cragganmore Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Speyside Single Malt Whisky Distillery
Cragganmore Scotch Whisky
Distillery Information
Founded in 1869 By John Smith, son of George Smith (Glenlivit)
Location Speyside Region Straithspey District
Water source Craggen Burn
Cragganmore Scotch Whisky Distilling Equipment
Copper Domed Lauter Mash Tun
6 Oregon pine washbacks
2 Wash stills
2 spirit stills with T Shape Lyne arms
Traditional worm tub condensers
Matured in American oak bourbon casks
Cragganmore Scotch Whisky
Distillery History
Cragganmore is Gaelic for 'great rock'. The distillery is located in Ballindalloch, close to where the rivers Spey, Avon and Livet meet. Water fro the distillery is taken from the Craggen Burn
John Smith the youngest son of George Smith, founder of the Glenlivet distillery, established the Cragganmore distillery in 1869-1870. John Smith had previously managed the Glenfarclas, Macallan and Glenlivet distilleries.
John Smith was a keen supporter of the railways and their benefits; he ordered the construction of a railway track to connect to the main line at Ballindalloch railway station at the same time he built the distillery. Just a few years later Cragganmore became the first distillery in Scotland to transport their whisky by railway. In 1887, a year after John Smith died, the first ‘Whisky Special’ train left Ballindalloch station with a load of 16,000 gallons.
On his death John Smith's trustees continued the operation between 1886 & 1893 after which John's son Gordon took over as manager of the distillery which he retained until the distillery was sold in 1923 to the Glenlivet Distillery Co. Ltd. in 1923- formed from a partnership of the Ballindalloch Estate and White Horse Distillers Ltd.
Gordon Smith over saw 1902 reconstruction; this took place when the industry was in recession following the Patison Crash. He brought in the renowned Distillery Architect Charles Doig to rebuild the distillery. The fact that he could even contemplate such expenditure underlines the extent to which Cragganmore was regarded as first-class malt.
In 1927 The White Horse shares were transferred to DCL The remaining shares from the Ballindalloch Estate were eventually acquired by DCL by 1968. This last change in ownership took place not long after the number of stills was extended from two to four. Cragganmore was eventually 'acquired' by Diageo when United Distillers (UD) and International Distillers and Vintners (IDV) merged.
Cragganmore single malt whisky is one of the Classic Malt Series released by Diageo
Cragganmore Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Distillery Bottlings
Cragganmore Aged 12 Years
Cragganmore Distiller’s Edition, Double Matured
Distillery tasting notes supplied by Diageo
Cragganmore
Single Malt
ScotchWhisky
Distillery Style
Tasting Notes
Nose: Fragrant, delicate, the smallest trace of smoke.
Palate: Medium bodied, sweet, with lots of firm malt, cream, vanilla and dried fruits.
Finish: Fairly short and sweet.
Cragganmore Distillery, Ballindalloch, Banffshire
AB37 9AB
Tel: +44 (0)1807 500202
Visitor centre Tours by Appointment only Phone for Details
+44 (0)1479 874700
Cragganmore Single Malt Scotch Whisky 12 year Old
Nestling on the banks of the legendary Salmon River, Cragganmoreª is, for many, the home of the definitive Speyside malt.
Strength: 40% ABV
Appearance: Gold.
Nose: A complex of sweet floral fragrances, riverside herbs and flowers with some honey and vanilla. 'The most complex nose of any malt whisky' (Jackson).
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.
Cragganmore Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Distillers Edition 1987
The complexity of Cragganmore prescribed an out-of-the-ordinary choice for a secondary cask finish. Port-wine successfully provides the perfectly harmonious partner.
Strength: 40% ABV
Appearance: Pale amber.
Palate: The mouth is swamped with fruity flavours of cherries and oranges leading to rich tastes of Port-wine and malt, with lingering smoke.
Finish: Long finish is breathtaking, with a toffee-sweet start and a dry slightly smoky
finish. Intriguingly multi-layered malt.
Cragganmore Single Malt Scotch Whisky
10 year old 1993
A limited edition natural cask strength from Bodega European Oak casks. Drier than the classic 12 year old expression. Fantastic contrast with the 29 year old release.
Strength: 60.1% ABV
Appearance: Bright pale amber.
Palate: Attractive sweetness. Fruity acidity. Spiciness and digestive biscuits. Arouses the appetite.
Finish: Lingering nutty, urbane, bittersweet.
Cragganmore Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Older Distillery Bottlings
Cragganmore 10 year old 1993, 15000 bottles released 2004
Cragganmore 17 year old 1988, 5970 bottles released 2006
Cragganmore 29 year old 1973, 6000 bottles released 2004
Cragganmore Scotch Whisky Independent Bottlings
Blackadder,
Cadenhead's
Gordon & MacPhail,
Murray McDavid,
Signatory.
SMWS
Home Whisky Index Contact Us Whisky bookshop
whiskymerchants.co.uk
The whisky information web site
01759 371356
All of us at whiskymerchants.co.uk respectively remind you to enjoy your dram responsibly and ask that only individuals of legal drinking age in your locale can enter this site.
For Alcohol Advice
Please Visit
For The Facts
Published 8 times a year Whisky Magazine is the perfect complement to the dram in your glass. Every issue brings you fascinating articles on the art, science and romance of the 'water of life', plus page after page of tasting notes
Click Image for more details or to Subscibe
