The unknown Speysider.
 
The Cragganmore distillery was established by John Smith in 1869. The site was meticulously chosen for its proximity of a water source and because it was so close to the newly built Strathspey Railway. Smith had a long and colourful career, working as a distiller for The Macallan, Glenlivet and Glenfarclas before he set off on his own path. Cragganmore is owned by Diageo nowadays but the spirit of the past remains alive in the distillery. The uniqueness of the dram that is produced by Cragganmore comes from the second distillation. The stills used are special in every aspect as they have a flat top and are very short, resulting in a meaty and complex Whisky.
 
Cragganmore 12 YO is everything a Speyside Whisky should be. A smoky, almost sweet dram without any peatiness involved in it. An easy dram that delivers more than you would think!