13 years in ex-bourbon and then 2 more years in 1st fill PX for this Cragganmore. Deep, Rich & Dried Fruits profile.
Nose: Sweet and perfumed with rose water, potpourri and toffee. Spiced (cinnamon and ginger) plum tart is joined by wheaty multi-grain bread and a slight sense of mustiness attics. Dilution emphasises sugars and spice with cocoa nibs, gingerbread and muscavado sugar.
Taste: A bold and syrupy with maple syrup, high cocoa solids chocolate, molasses and reduced red berry fruits. There’s a combination of intense sugared fruitiness and dryness here – it doesn’t come across as overtly woody, but the tannins can be felt around the teeth and gums. Water softens things up with tinned stone fruits, sponge cake and cracked pepper.
Finish: Medium to long, drying with chocolate and coffee beans.
Solid well-sherried Cragganmore. A bit on the dry side, but with plenty of unctuousness and deep spiced fruit.