Cragganmore 20 Year (2020 Special Release)

Nose: (neat) Cereals, dusty malt, and an ethanol hit that stings the nose initially. Vanilla, oak, and pears are in the background, but the alcohol is hard to get past. It's not harsh, just intense. After a few minutes resting in the glass, it calms down a bit, and a deeper nosing is possible, revealing many oak aromas. Nose: (watered) Dilution doesn't change the profile much, but it does lessen the alcohol intensity. The cereals are now baked rather than raw, and there are some banana aromas, but that's the only significant change. Even with 30 minutes of rest after dilution, not much new presented itself. Palate: (neat) Sweet cereals, oatmeal, vanilla pudding with sultanas and tinned fruit. Some pineapple chunks in milk chocolate emerge as it develops. The texture is full and oily, but there's that heat again. It builds, but it's not exactly spicy – it's just plain alcohol heat biting the tongue. Palate: (watered) Like the nose, the palate isn't significantly different when diluted. The arrival is a touch softer and more rounded, the mouthfeel is creamier, and for a second or two, you expect the heat from the neat nose to have been overcome. However, it suddenly roars forward again, and the mid to late development is exactly as before. Finish: (neat) Medium. Cereal and green apples fade into a slightly drying and astringent metallic aftertaste (like cold, over-brewed black tea?). You can sense the tin that held the fruit pieces from the palate. Finish: (watered) Not a great deal of difference. The metallic quality is still present but more muted, with a lingering taste like oatmeal. The official distiller review sums this up quite well, but I disagree with one specific point. For me, this is not a balanced whiskey; in fact, I'd call it thin, unbalanced, and showing poor integration, which are significant flaws in my opinion. My overall impression is that this expression was too soft and demure for its alcohol content. 55.8% ABV isn't that high, and I've tasted many whiskies above 60% ABV that have great balance. The issue here is that the alcohol dominates, and there isn't enough aromatic or flavor character to support it. I don't think it would have worked as well at a lower ABV either – it's just not a great vatting, in my humble opinion. Tasted from a 30ml sample. "Good": 83/100 (3.5 stars).

I keep trying to review this, but I can't find the right words. It's an unusually straightforward whisky, yet difficult for me to rate and describe. Aroma: I'm borrowing from another review, and I agree with their notes. It presents as light oak with melon and pear. It's immediately apparent this is a very sugary, sweet-forward dram, balanced by some oak spice. Taste: Spicy, drying oak with a rich fruity sweetness that then shifts to a toasted oak caramel flavor. Very candied and spicy oak. The high alcohol content significantly numbs the tongue, and even water doesn't eliminate the intense oak bite at the end. Gragganmore consistently has a truly distinctive finish, a blend of sweetness and oak that I can't quite pinpoint. So, what's the overall score? I'm somewhat perplexed by this one. The alcohol and spice intensity don't feel entirely harmonious. Everything about it is dialed up to the maximum, and it's curiously not enjoyable to drink. However, I remain captivated by that toasted oak and chocolate, along with the pear and overwhelmingly sugary malt at the finish. Therefore, I'm giving it a 3.0. A score of 2.0 represents average, and 3.0 signifies a very good dram that falls short of exceptional or special. Regarding value at $155, I'm truly conflicted. I wouldn't repurchase it because at that price point, it's no longer an 'easy-drinking' choice, and it lacks any truly 'wow' factors. On the other hand, it's cask strength and 20 years old, and the age is evident. So, in that regard, it offers value. If you desire a cask strength 20-year-old to start with and prefer an official bottling, this might be a suitable option. I suppose it represents fair value, but it's not for everyone.

Nose: Candy, light tropical fruit, banana. Faint hints of oil and furniture polish. Palate: Wood, pepper, vanilla. Very fresh, bright, and lively. Orchard fruit like pears, quince, and apples. Slightly hot. Finish: Medium-long. Sour apples, wood, chilies. There's a noticeable woodiness throughout, which intensifies in the mouth and lingers. The whisky has a tannic dryness, but the lively fruit notes prevent it from being overwhelming. A delightful dram. This expression was the top choice out of six, receiving 35% of the final vote for favorite of the night. (91% of attendees enjoyed it).

Exhibiting malty characteristics and subtle notes of stone fruit and drying oak. This is a well-made, classic whisky to conclude my exploration of the 2020 special releases. While I suspect many of these deserve more attention than a small sample allows, I must move on, as there are many more to experience.

The aroma is distinctively new, offering notes of caramel, citrus, and freshly cut wood. The taste is intriguing, presenting a balance of depth and lightness with hints of vanilla and subtle stone fruit. It concludes with a rich, refined, and lasting finish that isn't heavy or thick.

Nose: Fruity and woody, with spices. Mouth: Nice woody character and good power and warmth with the high alcohol content. A bit peppery, with banana and fig. A nice blend of fruity, woody, and spicy. Not very peaty, a little smoky.