Cragganmore 1989 Review

“A Crisp Summer Dram”

Country: Scotland 

Region: Speyside

Brand: Cragganmore 1989 (Mo Or Release # 27)

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age:  21 Years

ABV: 46%

Date: 08/06/2014

Colour: Chardonnay

Nose: It's hard to believe I'm tasting a 21 year old Single Malt! The Nose is very Malty, Floral and Fresh and the Wood influence is very restrained. I find Juicy Toasted Sweet Barley, Grass, Straw, Heather, light Honey, Wet Stone, light Vanilla, Lemon, Orange or Grapefruit, light Coconut, Pear Drops and Herbs. Quite uncomplicated really. The Alcohol is nicely integrated.

The Lauter Mash Tun at Cragganmore!

Palate: Slightly more Edgy than the soft Nose would indicate. Quite Citrusy as well with Lemon, Orange and Grapefruit. As on the Nose I find relatively little Cask influence. Only light Oak, light Vanilla and light Spices. I do find quite a lot of Mint, as well as some Marzipan, Toffee, light Honey, Heather, Herbs and Malt.  

The Wash Backs at Cragganmore!

Finish: Middle-Long, Sweet and Sour with Grass, Citrus (mainly Lemon), Herbs, Mint, light Licorice, Oak, light Nutmeg and light Pepper.

The Stills at Cragganmore!

Added Water does not improve this Cragganmore. Enjoy it neat!

Rating: 84.5

Nose: 21.5 - Taste: 21 - Finish: 21 - Overall: 21

Warehouses at Cragganmore!

General Remarks: The Cragganmore Distillery is located in the Spey Valley close to the A 95. It was founded in 1869 by John Smith. Today it is owned by Diageo and lots of Cragganmore go into Blends like Old Parr and White Horse. The Single Malt I'm tasting today is a Single Cask Expression from The Whisky Talker/Mo Or (Gaelic for My Gold). It was distilled on the 14th of November, 1989 and bottled on the 14th of March, 2011. The whisky matured in a Bourbon Hogshead (Cask # 2840). A total of 395 bottles was reserved for the Mo Or Collection. It's priced at around 135 US Dollars per 50 Cl bottle. The Whisky Talker is an Independent Bottler from the Netherlands.

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Conclusion: I had expected a complicated Single Malt considering 21 years of Cask time. But instead I find a relatively light, fresh, crisp Summer Dram with lots of Floral tones, Herbs (Mint) and Citrus. Excellent choice for an Aperitif on a warm Summer day. A bit expensive though!

Part of the Distillery Complex!

The Cragganmore Distillery.

Some Data: The Cragganmore Distillery is located in Ballindalloch, Moray, not far from Glenfarclas. It was founded in 1869 by John Smith. Nowadays it is owned by Diageo. Lots of Cragganmore spirit disappear in Blends like Old Parr, Haig and White Horse. It was also one of the 4 Single Malts in the late JW Green. The Distillery possesses a large stainless steel Mash Tun, 6 Wash Backs (Oregon Pine) and two pairs of Wash/Spirit Stills. In 2013 they produced 2,2 million litres. Cragganmore means Big Rock. The water for the distillery is sourced from the nearby Corries Springs. The Distillery is open from April to October (Monday - Friday 10.00 to 16.00). There are 3 Tours, the Standard Tour at 4 pounds, the Premium tour at 8 pounds and the Connoisseurs tour at 16 pounds.

Cragganmore Visitor Centre!

We visited Cragganmore on Friday May 23, 2014. It was raining cats and dogs. We opted for the Standard Tour and were lucky! We were the only two visitors at that time and got ourselves a private Tour. Our hostess was knowledgeable but had a bit of an Off-Day that included regular yawning caused (in her own words) by temperature changes. 

Inside a Warehouse at Cragganmore!

We did have the chance however to talk a bit to the Warehouse chap and make a few pictures. We also enjoyed a pleasant Tasting session in a very cosy old room. The drams included the 12 Years and the Port Finished DE. 

A " Cosy" Tasting Session!

Jan van den Ende                                                                 June 2014