Cragganmore Distillery — Speyside Single Malt Whisky

Cragganmore Distillery is a Scotch whisky distillery located near Ballindalloch, Speyside, Scotland. It was founded in 1869 and is currently owned by Diageo. Cragganmore was chosen to represent Speyside in the original Classic Malts of Scotland range, a mark of its long-standing reputation among blenders and connoisseurs alike.

History

Cragganmore was established in 1869 by John Smith, an experienced distiller who had previously managed the Macallan, Glenlivet, Glenfarclas and Wishaw distilleries. Smith leased the site from Sir George Macpherson-Grant of the Ballindalloch Estate, choosing the spot for its proximity to the Craggan Burn and, crucially, its closeness to the newly built Strathspey Railway line, which allowed casks to be moved efficiently to market. Cragganmore is credited as one of the first Speyside distilleries to be built with direct rail access in mind.

Ownership passed through Smith's family — first to his brother George and then to his son Gordon — before the distillery was sold in the 1920s to the Cragganmore-Glenlivet Distillery Company, jointly held by whisky magnate Peter Mackie and the Ballindalloch Estate. Mackie's share later passed to the Distillers Company Limited (DCL), while the Macpherson-Grant family retained a stake until 1965. Through successive mergers, Cragganmore came under United Distillers and then, following the 1997 merger that created Diageo, into the Diageo portfolio, where it remains today.

In 1988, Cragganmore 12 Year Old was selected as one of the original six single malts in United Distillers' Classic Malts range, chosen specifically to showcase Speyside's character. The distillery's spirit stills are unusually short with flat tops, a design quirk that concentrates copper contact and gives the new-make spirit its distinctive weight and complexity. The visitor centre at the distillery itself has since closed to the public, with Diageo directing visitors to the nearby Cardhu Brand Home instead, though Cragganmore remains fully operational and continues producing whisky.

Quick Facts

• Region: Speyside
• Founded: 1869
• Owner: Diageo
• Status: Active
• Stills: 2 wash stills, 2 spirit stills

Core Range

Cragganmore's core range centres on the Cragganmore 12 Year Old (40% ABV), matured in a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, giving notes of toffee, nuts, candied peel, dried fruit and a trace of wood smoke. The Cragganmore Distillers Edition (40% ABV) is finished in Port pipes, adding extra richness and dark fruit character to the classic Cragganmore profile.