Cragganmore 12

[Rufus Skytrousers]

Any observations concerning the above expression?

[johan brugge]

Yes, I'm not really fond of it.

[Novice Scotch Fan]

And now for a contrary opinion. . . I think it's great. I reviewed it here: http://jason-scotchreviews.blogspot.com/2009/09/cragganmore-12-yr-old-single-malt.html

[dramtastic]

I have only had the one bottle of this. It opened up a lot after the first half of the bottle was drunk. Quite complex I'd say.

[The Third Dram]

The nose of this whisky just has to be one of the most enticing in all of Speyside. It's almost as though one were walking in the hills above the river, what with all of those floral, vegetal, mineral suggestions enhancing the gently honeyed malt core.

Take your time with it.

[Rufus Skytrousers]

Thanks folks, I'm in two minds as to whether I should buy a full bottle or just try a 20cl "taster" .

I'm primarily a Islay fan, but spreading wings is a good idea I reckon.

mmm! Will be making an order friday, will ponder till then methinks.

[pkt77242]

I really like the Cragganmore 12. Floral, peaches, etc. Very enjoyable but not in your face. I just wish it was bottled at 46% abv.

[Maccy]

My previous posting of this whisky - I like it.

A Cragganmore 12.

I savoured this whisky for a long time and then had another.

A lovely golden colour with no more than a medium body. I swished it about to release the aromas.

On the nose it was not overpowering - more fruits than flowers with orangey and lemony notes. Delicate. I was definitely thinking of being in the countryside on summer's day sipping this as an aperitif.

A bit more muscle on the palate - a splash of pepper, a kick of sweetness and then the fruitiness returns. Just possibly a hint of nuts, maybe roasted almonds and a touch of the cask.

At 40% it does not beat you into submission, but gently caresses you towards the bottle for a second helping .

This bottle is going down fast - you just have to have two!

[pkt77242]

Yes, I'm not really fond of it.

Johan, do you like any scotch that doesn't have peat?

[Ganga]

I'm not overly fond of Cragganmore (the exception was a cask strength bottling). I do not find flavors or aromas that are objectionable; rather the opposite in fact. It comes down to the fact that the finish is so short.

And before Sean asks, Yes I like whiskies without peat and also without sherry. Although having both is really good too.

[Reggaeblues]

It's a good , enjoyable dram, but not a "great" IMO

[Mr Fjeld]

Here's another vote for the Cragganmore 12. A decent whisky which imo has one particular strength; a very well integrated oak character. Fruity and nice but maybe too "bland" for the peat and/or sherry freaks.

[Rufus Skytrousers]

Thanks again everyone.

I have ordered, but have gone for the 20cl bottle.Just to be cautious. I tend to take more chances with Islay's , being a bit of a peat monster, but, we will see.

My order comprised , Talisker DE (love it) Talisker 10 (one of the very best "basic" expressions.) Bunnahabhain 12 , Lagavulin 12 , Old Raj 55% gin , Plymouth Navy Gin 57% and of course the Cragganmore.

Still waiting on my Laphroaig Cairdeas, and hoping my daughter can get me Celp from the duty free .

Interesting times coming

[pkt77242]

Thanks again everyone.

I have ordered, but have gone for the 20cl bottle.Just to be cautious. I tend to take more chances with Islay's , being a bit of a peat monster, but, we will see.

My order comprised , Talisker DE (love it) Talisker 10 (one of the very best "basic" expressions.) Bunnahabhain 12 , Lagavulin 12 , Old Raj 55% gin , Plymouth Navy Gin 57% and of course the Cragganmore.

Still waiting on my Laphroaig Cairdeas, and hoping my daughter can get me Celp from the duty free .

Interesting times coming

Nice order Rufus, hope you enjoy them. Let us know what you think about it when you get it.

[Ardbeg311]

Thanks again everyone.

I have ordered, but have gone for the 20cl bottle.Just to be cautious. I tend to take more chances with Islay's , being a bit of a peat monster, but, we will see.

My order comprised , Talisker DE (love it) Talisker 10 (one of the very best "basic" expressions.) Bunnahabhain 12 , Lagavulin 12 , Old Raj 55% gin , Plymouth Navy Gin 57% and of course the Cragganmore.

Still waiting on my Laphroaig Cairdeas, and hoping my daughter can get me Celp from the duty free .

Interesting times coming

A 20cl bottle was the safe bet. With anything smaller it becomes difficult to get to know the whisky enough to begin to judge. I too love Islay whiskies (save for a number of Bruichladdich bottles), but I'm not a fan of the Cragganmore 12 nor of the Cragg DE (both last tasted in 2006).

What year is your Laga 12?

[Rufus Skytrousers]

Quote:Ardbeg311:

A 20cl bottle was the safe bet. With anything smaller it becomes difficult to get to know the whisky enough to begin to judge. I too love Islay whiskies (save for a number of Bruichladdich bottles), but I'm not a fan of the Cragganmore 12 nor of the Cragg DE (both last tasted in 2006).
What year is your Laga 12?End Quote:

I very much agree regarding the 20cl bottles. I'm just sampling Talisker 10 , 18 and DE . Initially I thought the DE the less good of the 3, however after a couple of tastings, I'm finding it a real hit. To me, at least equal , if not slightly the better of the other 2 superb expressions. Hence it being part of my order. (already have a fullbottle of 10 , and 18 is for the future) The cost of the smaller bottles certainly help scope for experiment.

I tend to risk Islay malts if there is no smaller bottlings, but are wary of bottlings from other places. Nothing worse than buying a £40/50 malt and being underwhelmed by it.

The Laga 12 was bottled last year, it just slips in under the £60 limit I have , as a bottle limit. Will be interesting to see how it squares up to Corryvrecken.

[AVB]

If it really matters, I liked it too in my review of 5 years ago. Still a staple in my collection.

[MARS]

I am a sherry freak but I really like the cragganmore 12 (exept one bottle who must have a serious production problem as it was very oaky and almost no taste).

But it's more a whisky to drink than anything else(I know, I know, all whisky are made to be drinked).

It is also really good with ice,tonic and coke. (really)

MARS

[Drammed]

I like it up until the finish. I think the smokey finish somehow detracts from the experience. I do enjoy smokey/peaty whiskeys but for whatever reason my taste buds do not like the smoke with the rest of the flavours in the Craggy 12.

[Rufus Skytrousers]

Just as a follow up to this thread. The 20 cl bottle of Cragganmore 12 I had, has gone down the hatch!

So, my impressions? Quite favourable...Not an immense whisky, but pleasant and enjoyable. Seems to be dry tasting.

Will I buy it? Yes..I will, will be used as a change from Peaty monsters.Cost here in the Uk around £27 , a good scotch for kind of outlay.

Incidentally, I see there is also a Distillers Edition expression...anyone any experience of it?

[pkt77242]

Just as a follow up to this thread. The 20 cl bottle of Cragganmore 12 I had, has gone down the hatch!

So, my impressions? Quite favourable...Not an immense whisky, but pleasant and enjoyable. Seems to be dry tasting.

Will I buy it? Yes..I will, will be used as a change from Peaty monsters.Cost here in the Uk around £27 , a good scotch for kind of outlay.

Incidentally, I see there is also a Distillers Edition expression...anyone any experience of it?

Rufus skip the Cragganmore Distillers Edition and go with the the Cragganmore 1993 10yo that is at the Whisky Exchange. A much better whisky and only 15 more pounds (ok, that is quite a bit but it is significantly better). I like the regular 12 more than the DE and the 10 more than both of them. If you want I can post up some notes on the 10CS this weekend, just let me know.

[Rufus Skytrousers]

Thanks for that...I'd latched on to the DE as it seemed a relatively low cost way of trying another expression of a scotch I know I liked. I shall give it a miss.

I'll mull over the 10 yr old....it sounds very promising. I have to watch the pocket though.As you will have seen on another thread , I'm looking to compile an order...and the cost of the "certains" is already starting to look hefty.

Still, better to have more choice than less.

Thanks.

[smn]

It's interesting to see that the DE gets recommended against. I quite like the port finish, certainly more than the basic Cragganmore.