Cragganmore (2016 Special Release)

I've been reviewing American whiskeys lately, time to return to the classics! Nose - apple, vanilla, custard, nicely executed light toasted oak, berries, orchard fruits, and classic scotch from this region with a sweet and balanced focus. Taste - A burst of flavors including apples, pears, vanilla, oak tannins, European oak spices, nutmeg, toffee, perhaps even allspice, and aged, leathery oak. The richness and depth at every stage are incredible. Let's add water. Water softens the initial sweetness, highlights the spicy European and bodega casks, and then the finish delivers a sharp shift to baking spices, mellow oak, and pastry crust. There's sherry present, but I suspect the bourbon casks are superior. It's an impressive use of recharred oak and a blend of young and mature whisky. This is my third time seriously evaluating this, and I've shared it with three friends and sent samples to another. I'm really enjoying this whisky, much like I seem to enjoy EVERY overpriced Diageo NAS offering. I almost resent myself for it, but damn, their NAS products are genuinely good. Anyway, the alcohol content and body are incredibly rich and coat the mouth. You do detect some youth, as there's some 15-year-old or younger whisky in here, and for a bottle costing over $600 retail, I can understand people being upset, but it's so exceptionally well-crafted. So complex. 4.25. I truly like this bottle and would buy more at the $400 I paid. I'm very satisfied with this purchase. Grateful for the clearance price.

Nose: A burst of fruit, featuring dried apricots, peaches, golden raisins, crystallized ginger, orange, and candied habanero when diluted. It remains similar but livelier. Palate: A powerful fruit impact, with dried apple rings, fresh apple, a touch of salt, dried apricots, a subtle metallic sulfur note reminiscent of some dried fruits, orange, and crystallized ginger with water. The metallic notes are lessened, less sulfuric, and more balanced, though it becomes slightly drier. Finish: A persistent sharp fruity sweetness, a mild habanero tingle/warmth, and a hint of flamed orange zest when diluted. It stays the same. Score: 89/100 Overall Impressions: The aroma is truly incredible, intensely fruity, evoking summer. It offers a fine blend of fresh and dried fruits like apples, apricots, peaches, and nectarines, along with a sharp sweetness akin to golden raisins. There's a slightly off-putting metallic/sulfuric quality, similar to very sweet, syrupy dried fruits, but it's acceptable. Adding water significantly reduces this metallic character. Overall, it gives off great summer feelings. Would I consume it if offered? - Yes Would I specifically order it? - Perhaps Would I purchase a bottle? - Not at its current price point; perhaps if it were under $200. NOTE: All assessments are made independently of price.

The nose has notes of green apples and honey, followed by a peppery palate. The texture is oily, and adding water significantly enhances this expression. Excellent!

A cask strength offering from the distillery, rated 9/10.