Cragganmore 1989-2010 21 Year Old Official Limited Edition

I love this classic official whisky, which is based on such a simple yet refined malty character. Cragganmore CRAGGANMORE 1989-2010 21yo OB Limited Edition 56% One of 5856 Bottles The aroma first presents a simple yet refined malty character, with hints of orange, delicate peach, floral notes, honey, vanilla, pleasant oak, and a straightforward atmosphere. Upon drinking, it starts with a smooth mouthfeel that expands into spiciness, featuring a slightly chewy texture. The taste includes the sweetness of orange and honey, with a rich malty umami that is clearly present. The body is well-balanced, leaving a pleasant aftertaste of good oak and malt. 【Very Good】 Bottled in 2010 as a limited edition of 5,856 bottles, this official Cragganmore from 1989 is a high-proof whisky aged for 21 years. From the very beginning of the aroma, I strongly sense a straightforward and simple malty character that feels delicious. Slowly emerging from deeper layers are the fruity and floral notes accompanied by aging characteristics. The oak influence is also well-balanced. The mouthfeel, despite its high alcohol content, feels refined and then becomes spicy, offering a broad range of flavors. The rich malty umami with a chewy texture is exceptional, and while the fruity notes seem to be more deeply hidden compared to the aroma, they may become more prominent over time. There's also a deep honey sweetness and the good oak nuances, similar to the aroma, which add depth to the flavor. The cask is likely a very good bourbon barrel, possibly a refill or third-fill, which is impressive considering it was selected from the extensive stock of a major distillery. It shares similarities with types like Manager's Choice, offering a natural style with fruitiness and oak characteristics without excess. This is one of my favorite examples, balancing the malty base with a natural fruity profile that I believe will gradually intensify over time. Alternatively, keeping it unopened for a long period might bring it closer to this type. Ideally, I would like to purchase a bottle and savor it slowly. Recently, I've had the chance to encounter such exceptional bottles in bottlings, which is reassuring despite concerns about the rising prices of official releases over 20 years old. I'm looking forward to future releases.