Around £130 for the Cragganmore 20 Years from the Special Releases 2020? That sounds pretty fair actually. It matured in refill and fresh-charred American oak hogsheads. I don’t know, maybe they could’ve done without freshly charred oak? After all, my favourite Cragganmore so far did absolutely fine in modest refill casks.
Cragganmore is high up my list of distilleries I’ve yet to visit. It has such a distinctly singular spirit that I’d be very interested in finding out more about their production first-hand. It’s the result of a combination of lightly peated malt, a mixture of short and long fermentations and unusually shaped stills. The fact that the late and great Michael Jackson was also a big fan of this Speyside distillery only adds to my curiosity.
Cragganmore 20 Years (55.8%, OB, Special Releases 2020)
Nose: Some soft lemon peel, vanilla custard, a whiff of oak shavings and just a hint of Greek yoghurt with honey. Touches of moss and sweet nectarines as well. Not hugely expressive but enticing nonetheless.
Taste: Creamy vanilla and an oily mouthfeel. Juicy fruits like pineapple and grapefruit, but also a whiff of honey and lemon peel. Touches of white chocolate, spicy ginger and a whisper of smoke.
Finish: A whiff of beeswax, orange marmelade and gentle spices.
Score: 87
A bit of an atypical Cragganmore at times, although it does has some trademark features. Regardless, this is a nicely balanced, interestingly flavoured single malt.
More Diageo Special Releases 2020
Do you want to read more of my reviews of this year’s Diageo Special Releases? I’ve compiled a neat little list below. Enjoy!
- Pittyvaich 1989 30 Years
- Dalwhinnie 1989 30 Years
- Mortlach 1999 21 Years
- Talisker 2011 8 Years
- The Singleton 2002 17 Years
- Cardhu 2008 11 Years
- Lagavulin 2007 11 Years
Sample provided by Diageo
