Cragganmore – Distillers Edition (70cl, 40%)

Cragganmore Distillers Edition is a Speyside single malt bottled at 40% vol in a 0.7-litre bottle with gift packaging. It first matures in used American and European oak casks, then receives a second maturation in port-seasoned, re-charred American oak casks with new, heavily charred bases of the same wood. The series has appeared annually in limited quantities since 1997. The two-stage maturation adds juicy fruit and wine aromas to the distillery character without displacing its fine smoky undertones. On the nose, the whisky is soft and complex, with sweet, winey and fruity notes that become denser, then a hint of smoke. The palate is light to medium-bodied, soft and sweet at first, with a firm, slightly oily texture; juicy wine and fruit notes meet light wood spice and a smoky undertone. The finish is medium-long, prickling and dry yet spicy, with oak notes showing vanilla before cocoa.