3
Expressions
3
With Tasting Notes
100%
Completeness
About
A whisky insider's favourite and the Speyside representative in Diageo's Classic Malts of Scotland series. Founded by John Smith (who also built Macallan and managed Glenlivet). Uses uniquely flat-topped spirit stills and worm tub condensers -- the combination produces a notably complex, multi-layered malt with herbal, floral, and smoky notes. The 12 Year Old is considered one of the finest examples of Speyside complexity. Located near the confluence of the Spey and Avon rivers.
Production Details
Owner
Diageo
Parent Company
Diageo
Status
Active
Founded
1869
Still Type
Pot
Stills
4
Capacity
2.2M LPA
Water Source
Craggan Burn
Core Range1
Cragganmore 12 Year OldCore
1240% ABV$55-80
Ex-bourbon barrels with some ex-sherry casks
4/4 Tasting
View tasting notes
Sight
Rich amber with golden highlights; medium body with slow, oily legs
Smell
Honey, caramel, and heather-floral notes with delicate baked red apple and a subtle undercurrent of malt and herbs. Complex for a 12yo — elegant rather than showy
Sip
Layered malt sweetness with herbal notes, hazelnuts, citrus peel, and a hint of cocoa. The hallmark Cragganmore complexity emerges — simultaneously sweet, spicy, and faintly smoky. Medium body with a silky texture
Savor
Elegant and sweet with hints of sandalwood, smoke, and lingering dry spice. Medium-long finish that rewards patience
View flavor map
Sweet Shop: honey, caramel; Garden Path: heather, herbs; Greengrocer: Orchard (baked apple), Citrus (citrus peel); Bakery: malt; Library: smoke (faint); Furniture Maker: Wood (sandalwood); Natural Foods: Spices (dry spice)
Limited / Special Releases2
Cragganmore 12 Year Old Special Release 2019
1258.4% ABV201920 PPM$90-130
Refill American oak casks; medium-peated malt (~20 ppm)
4/4 Tasting
View tasting notes
Sight
Bright gold, natural colour with no chill-filtration; full body with thick legs
Smell
Oily, malty, and earthy with clean machine oils, dry wood spices, barley husks, tangy brine, and soft earthy peat. Banana, pears, icing sugar, and waxy lemons emerge underneath. A fascinating departure from standard Cragganmore
Sip
More clean machine oils and barley husks with salted lemon, baked salt, black pepper, and earthy dry peat. Orange rind adds brightness. Smooth and well-balanced at cask strength — dried fruits, caramel, and gentle smokiness interplay
Savor
Medium-long with a touch of heat that fades quickly, then drying astringency carried beautifully by the oiliness. The peat lingers as a gentle campfire ember
View flavor map
Smoke House: Peat (earthy peat, campfire); Walk to Lighthouse: Sea (brine, salt); Greengrocer: Citrus (lemon, orange rind), Orchard (pear); Sweet Shop: icing sugar; Bakery: malt, barley; Natural Foods: Spices (black pepper); Furniture Maker: Wood (oak spice)
Cragganmore Distillers Edition
1240% ABV$75-95
Double matured: ex-bourbon then finished in port-seasoned American oak casks
4/4 Tasting
View tasting notes
Sight
Deep amber-copper with ruby tints from the port cask finish; medium-full body
Smell
Sweet malt and dried cherry with hints of peat smoke, oaky spice, and vanilla. The port finish layers dark fruit sweetness over the classic Cragganmore complexity
Sip
Apricot and toffee with sweet plums and dark chocolate, balanced by oaky spice and vanilla. The port cask influence adds a rich, vinous quality without overwhelming the distillery character. A delicate peat note adds depth
Savor
Long and warming with persistent dried fruit, cocoa, and gentle oak tannins. The port-wine sweetness lingers elegantly
View flavor map
Pub/Bar: Wine (port wine); Sweet Shop: toffee; Greengrocer: Dried (dried cherry, apricot); Greengrocer: Orchard (plum); Sweet Shop: dark chocolate, cocoa; Furniture Maker: Wood (oak, vanilla); Library: smoke (faint peat); Bakery: malt