Cragganmore

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Cragganmore distillery was founded in 1869 by John Smith. It is situated in the village of Ballindaloch in Banffshire in Scotland. It was chosen by Diageo to represent the Speyside area in their 'Classic Malts' range (along with Glenkinchie, Dalwhinnie, Oban, Talisker and Lagavulin). The site was chosen by Smith both for its proximity to the waters of the Craggan burn and because it was close to the Strathspey Railway. Smith was an experienced distiller, having already been manager of the Macallan, Glenlivet, Glenfarclas and Wishaw distilleries.

The Strathspey Railway is now disused and forms the Speyside Way long-distance walking route.

Cragganmore distillery is on the official Scotland's Malt Whisky Trail which covers eight Speyside distilleries and the Speyside Cooperage.

[edit] The Whisky

The standard 12 year old bottling has a dull gold colour. The nose is rightly famous as being one of the most complex of any single malt. There are sweet floral fragrances with a firm body and malty taste, a long finish with delicate aromas and light smoke. The 14 year old Distiller's Edition is double matured in port casks which gives the whisky sweeter nose, with hints of spices on the palate.

The stills used in the second distillation (the spirit still) of Cragganmore whisky are unique in having a flat top and being relatively short. The stills' shape has a definite effect on the taste and aroma (nose) of the whisky.