Nose:
A very coastal beginning; sea salt with a fresh breeze, then becomes fruity; sweet cocktail cherries, blackberries and red currants. A faint and subtle note of cigar boxes and tobacco comes through.
Palate:
The fruitiness continues with rhubarb crumble, stewed apples and juicy plums. Cured ham follows with a very soft and delicate touch of peat with more coastal sea salt notes.
Finish:
Red wine tannins dominate, combined with smouldering campfire smoke and the ever present fresh fruit notes of prunes and cherries.
AROMA
An initial burst of brine leads onto warming toffee apples and hazelnuts. This is followed by dates, chocolate orange and spiced tea cake. The mouthfeel is overwhelmingly rich and weighty.
All parts of the production process for the 100% Islay have taken place at the distillery – from barley to bottle; grown, malted, distilled, matured and bottled, making for a unique character. We are proud to be the only Islay distillery distilling single malt from barley both grown and malted on Islay. Bottled at 50% ABV and peated to a lower level to that our other releases, 100% Islay has a lighter, fresher feel to it. Citrus and lemon notes come through with soft peat smoke and a long smooth finish. First launched in 2010 a new edition of the 100% Islay has been released every year since.
CRAGGANMORE STORY
The Cragganmore Distillery was founded in 1869 by John
Smith, who is said to have been the most experienced
distiller of his day. He had been manager of Macallan,
Glenlivet and Wishaw distilleries, and was lease-holder of
Glenfarclas Distillery when he persuaded his landlord, Sir
George Macpherson-Grant, to lease him the land to build
a new distillery at Ballindalloch beside the Strathspey
railway line.
Cragganmore was the first distillery to be deliberately
sited to take advantage of the railway line and a private
siding was built to accommodate distillery traffic. John
Smith was a great railway enthusiast, but since he
weighed 22 stones (140kg) and was too wide to enter a
railway carriage, he was obliged to travel in the Guard’s
van.
PERFECT SERVE
Cragganmore 12 Year Old is one of the most complex
single malts with layers of sweet floral fragrances, wood
smoke, riverside herbs, vanilla and cereals. It is best
enjoyed neat or on the rocks.