Cragganmore 12 Year Old
Diageo · Cragganmore Distillery, Ballindalloch, Speyside
Cragganmore 12 is the Speyside malt that rewards the patient nose. Where many single malts deliver their story in one dramatic chapter, Cragganmore reads like a novel with slow-building subplots. Those unique T-shaped lyne arms create a spirit of genuine complexity that unfolds over an hour in the glass.
Nose
A kaleidoscope that shifts with every return to the glass: heather and wildflower honey appear first, then dried fruit and smoked almonds, then a surprising wisp of peat smoke that vanishes as quickly as it arrived.
Palate
Rich honey and stone fruits build a lush foundation, followed by chestnuts, walnuts, and a berry sweetness that threads through the mid-palate. The malt backbone is beautifully integrated, never dominating but always present.
Finish
Medium-long with a gentle smoky character, delicate peppery spice, and a dry mineral quality that lingers and invites the next sip. The final notes of dried herbs and malt emerge minutes after swallowing.
- Distillation
- Double distilled in flat-topped stills with unique T-shaped lyne arms
- Maturation
- Aged in second-fill ex-bourbon American oak casks
- Chill-Filtered
- Chill-filtered
Cocktail Suggestion
Cocktail — The Speyside Reviver: Combine 2 oz Cragganmore 12, 0.75 oz honey syrup, 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice, and 2 dashes of Peychaud's bitters. Shake with ice and strain into a coupe.
Food Pairing
Pair with: Roasted duck breast with a cherry and walnut compote — the game bird's richness complements the malt's nutty depth.
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