Cragganmore Scotch Whisky.

Cragganmore Whisky Distillery Information

Founded in 1869 By John Smith, son of George Smith (Glenlivit)

Location Speyside Region Straithspey District

Water source Craggen Burn

Craggemore 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

Craggenmore 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 Distillery Bottlings

Cragganmore Aged 12 Years

Cragganmore Distiller’s Edition, Double Matured

Cragganmore Whisky Independent Bottlings

Blackadder,

Cadenhead's

Gordon & MacPhail,

Murray McDavid,

Signatory.

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

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