🥃 Cragganmore
Distillery and single malt Scotch whisky brand in Speyside, founded in 1869 by John Smith; keeps a worm tub condenser, which is rarely seen in the industry; owned by Diageo.
Cragganmore is a distillery and brand of single malt Scotch whisky in Speyside, Scotland. According to the producer, it was founded in 1869 by "Big John" Smith, and it is owned by Diageo.
History. Smith chose the site for its pure water and for the railway line, which brought in raw materials and carried the malt to markets. According to the producer, Cragganmore was the first Speyside distillery to use rail transport in this way.
How it is made. According to the producer, the water comes from the Craggan Burn, which runs alongside the distillery. It uses a longer and a shorter fermentation, 90 and 60 hours, and keeps a worm tub condenser, which is rarely seen in the industry.
Range. Cragganmore 12 Year Old is one of the versions; the producer describes it as sweet and floral, with riverside herbs, honey, vanilla and a hint of smoke. The distillery also supplies the Old Parr blend. The distillery is operating, but the Cragganmore brand home is currently closed to visitors.
Why this matters to you. A Scotch single malt is made in Scotland, matured in oak for at least 3 years and bottled at no less than 40% ABV (Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009). The WHO reminds: there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Year founded | 1869, John Smith (Speyside) |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890) (Single Malt Scotch Whisky) |
| Raw material | water from the Craggan Burn (according to the producer) |
| Distillation method | worm tub condenser; fermentation of 60 and 90 hours (according to the producer) |
| Minimum maturation | at least 3 years in oak by law |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | at least 40% ABV by law |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Cragganmore → kind of → 🥃 Whisky → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Previous step
- 🥃 Diageo
- Packed in
- 🍷 Oak barrel
- Made from
- 🥃 Barley and malt in whisky
- What it contains
- 🧪 Water, 🍷 Ethanol
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Traditions
- 🧑🤝🧑 British
- Part of
- 🥃 Whisky, 🥃 Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 🥃 Scotch Whisky, 🥃 Speyside whisky
- Related to
- 🌍 Western Europe
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Talisker, 🥃 Glenkinchie, 🥃 The Glenlivet
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Cragganmore?
Diageo, according to the producer's Malts website.
When and by whom was Cragganmore founded?
In 1869 by "Big John" Smith, according to the producer.
Can you visit Cragganmore?
The distillery is operating, but the producer says the Cragganmore brand home is currently closed to the public and suggests the nearby Cardhu.
What is a worm tub?
A type of condenser. The producer says Cragganmore keeps a worm tub condenser, which is rarely seen in the industry.
What does Cragganmore 12 Year Old taste like?
The producer describes it as sweet and floral, with riverside herbs, honey, vanilla and a hint of smoke.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Ethanol — The alcohol formed during fermentation that makes you drunk.
- 🍷 Oak barrel — A wooden vessel made of oak staves in which wine matures, picks up new aromas and slowly takes in air.
- 🌍 Western Europe — France, the Netherlands, Britain, Ireland, Belgium and Luxembourg: a mild, moist climate, pastures and hundreds of cheeses such as Roquefort, Camembert, Gouda and Cheddar.
- 🧑🤝🧑 British — People of Great Britain; their protected West Country Cheddar matures for at least 9 months, and tea is drunk with milk.
Similar
🥃 Glen Elgin · 🥃 Benrinnes · 🥃 Dailuaine · 🥃 Tamnavulin · 🥃 Glen Ord · 🥃 Linkwood
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
What it includes
Sources
- Malts.com (Diageo): Discover Cragganmore (Big John Smith 1869, Strathspey railway line, Craggan Burn, fermentation 60 and 90 hours, worm tub condenser)
- Malts.com (Diageo): Visit Cragganmore (founder Big John Smith, railway, owner Diageo, Old Parr blend, brand home closed)
- Malts.com (Diageo): Cragganmore 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (Speyside, tasting notes, serving)
- The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890), reg. 3: definition and categories of Scotch Whisky (Scotland, oak up to 700 l, min. 3 years, min. 40 % ABV)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)