Cragganmore 12 Year (2019 Special Release)

Aroma: Creamy malt, vanilla, and apple pie with ice cream. Dominated by orchard fruit and sweet malt, with a subtle smoky undertone that grows over time. The alcohol is noticeable initially but fades quickly. Adding water reveals a floral aspect, like a dry flower arrangement. Taste: Sweet on entry with a brief burst of heat from the high alcohol. Flavors of juicy cereal, honey, vanilla custard, and maple syrup. The texture is smooth and substantial without being overly rich. Dilution enhances the sweet cereal and honey notes. Finish: Medium to Long. Notes of orange juice, apricot nectar, honey, a hint of oak, and a gentle smoky aftertaste. An excellent and pure expression featuring chewy barley malt simmered in fragrant oil. It's delightful neat, where the smoke is most apparent. Adding water makes it dangerously easy to drink, but unfortunately, the gentle peat smoke diminishes too much. There's not much more to say. This is a fine single malt, a superb example of Cragganmore, and proof that simple maturation in quality ex-bourbon casks without any additional treatment can produce magnificent whisky. I wasn't a big fan of the following year's Cragganmore Special Release, but this one is on a completely different level, and I'm very glad I purchased a bottle at the time. The listed price is what it cost five years ago. "Excellent": 88/100 (4.5 stars)

The nose is indeed off-putting with its intensely meaty and "chewable" peat, reminiscent of Ledaig, but this is just the initial impression: a subtle spiciness accompanies soft custard, cinnamon, green apple, a hint of seaweed, and a citrus note. Wood. Both rough and smooth, very captivating. The significant alcohol content is not noticeable at all. On the palate, however, it is quite apparent, but not as overpowering as one might expect: an impetuous yet warm and enveloping effluvium. The peat is consistently present, with a more pronounced mineral character, in this rich spiced cake with a blend of vanilla, ginger, cinnamon, wood shavings, and lemon zest, cooked over charcoal. The aromas linger for a long time (along with the alcoholic warmth), with wood soaked in seawater, earthy peat, charcoal, vanilla, and cinnamon. Imagine the refined elegance of classic Cragganmore embodied by Vin Diesel, who then gives you an affectionate embrace: this is the sensation this dram evoked in me. Rough, impetuous, yet capable of being welcoming and gentle, in a delicate balance that seems to miraculously hold. But it truly works!

Cragganmore 12y Special Release 2019 58.4% -Rebuilt in 1901 using stones from the hillside - Cragganmore means 'great rock' -Uses water from the Craggan Burn in Speyside -Old Parr; -Medium peated, refill American cask Nose: Strong alcohol presence, initially dominated by smokiness. Expecting the lightness of regular Cragganmore, the nose was surprisingly jolted at first. As you continue to delve into the glass, the smokiness becomes familiar, and amidst the pronounced alcohol, hints of lemon and vanilla are detected. A fleeting sweetness and tartness from pineapple pieces are also caught. Taste: Enters the mouth with a light and clean texture, but spiciness erupts after about five seconds. Lemon, apricot, and floral notes fill the mouth and expand further. Starting from the smoky aroma, it is quite appealing. Finish: After swallowing, a slight saltiness or peppery taste passes, followed by a lingering floral finish that showcases its radiance. One-line review: With its high alcohol content and smoky-floral notes, I personally find it appealing.

Nose: Smoky, autumnal. Burning leaves and a wood-burning fireplace. A salty bacon fat note is mellowed by a sweet fruitiness. Palate: Slightly peppery initially, then softens to reveal toffee and smoky salt. Finish: Chocolate-covered citrus peel emerges, harmonizing well with the subtle smokiness present throughout.

Awesome whiskey, enjoyed it at The Bard and the Bank in Victoria, Canada. Had it on June 28, 2022, during an Alaskan cruise aboard the Miracle, with a stop in port.

Quite mellow and easy to drink, with a toffee-like aroma, but it doesn't stand out as anything remarkable.