This Cragganmore 12 Year Old was one of the surprises among this year’s Special Releases because it is lightly peated. I don’t think we’ve seen smoky Cragganmore before, but apparently they did some trial runs around 2006.
Cragganmore 12 yo 2006
(58,4%, OB ‘Special Release’ 2019, refill American oak, 18.000 btl.)
Cragganmore 12 yo 2006Nose: some dry, ashy smoke indeed, in a fairly gentle way (Ardmore style, let’s say). Behind it there are sweet and youngish notes of banana, pears and icing sugar, as well as waxy lemons. Fresh pine wood and leathery notes. A nice combo.
Mouth: a tad hot, with a surprising salty edge. Apples, zesty grapefruits, a drop of honey and hints of cake. Then some toffee and white pepper. Peaty notes, as well as a buttery and chalky touch.
Finish: medium, fairly dry and peppery, with some charred leaves and oak spice.
A bit mind-bending at first: the rather ethereal Cragganmore with flashes of smoky Ardmore or peppery Talisker. Not bad though, and fairly cohesive. (TWE / MoM)
Score: 86/100