Cragganmore 12 Years Old 2004

An overlooked distillery within the Diageo stable, Cragganmore is situated in a historic area of Speyside, in-between Tormore and Ballindalloch. Founded in 1869, it retains links to the Ballindalloch Estate in the form of providing casks for family consumption and these are poured during the distillery tour at Ballindalloch. For Cragganmore, its founder John Smith was a giant of a man and also well-respected, having worked at Macallan, Glenlivet and Glenfarclas – the big names of that time. He selected a very rural location, surrounded by farms for barley, a local water source and nearby peat. An added bonus was the arrival of a railway line that ensured an efficient route to market. John also instigated a distinctive distilling regime that remains in place today, using worm tubs, long fermentations, unique flat-topped stills with long lyne arms.