Home Tasting: Cragganmore 12 Year Old Official Bottling (1990s Circulation)

It properly embodies the style of a representative Speyside whisky. Cragganmore CRAGGANMORE 12yo OB 40% 1990s Circulation ・Aroma: Mellow peaches, ripe pineapple, apricot jam, matured melon and orange - a diverse and elegant fruity aroma. A slightly heavy yet rustic barley note, candy floss, and soft oak. ・Flavor: Soft mouthfeel typical of a standard bottling. Concentrated apricot tea, diverse fruits similar to the aroma, well-settled barley with savory depth, a touch of honeyed sweetness, gentle acidity, and a hint of oak tannins adding complexity. Subtle peatiness, balanced flavor profile, medium-bodied. ・Aftertaste: The diverse fruity notes and savory barley linger longer than expected for its ABV. ・Dilution: The flavor softens and stretches without collapsing. ・Overall Review: Offers diverse, elegant fruits and savory barley depth with good balance and moderate drinkability. A well-crafted Speyside malt that could proudly be called a classic representative of the region. [Good/Very Good] The Cragganmore 12 Year Old official bottling from the 1990s. A well-crafted bottle that clearly conveys the elegant character and barley depth of a classic Speyside malt, as recognized by Diageo. Compared to earlier labeled bottles, this one is slightly less showy with stronger barley notes that feel somewhat rustic. However, these differences can be attributed to variations in the finishing process. Honestly, I find it hard to accept the current standard bottling as a representative Speyside malt. As previously mentioned, I no longer consider it suitable for recommending to beginners. However, Cragganmore's limited editions and other recent distillations under Diageo still produce excellent, authentic Speyside malts. I'll continue to watch their future developments with interest.