Cragganmore 29 Years Old Diageo Special Releases 2003 52.5% 1973

Professional reviews

Serge Valentin (90)

Colour: white wine.
Nose: very flowery and very fruity, which is incredible considering its age. This one is not for the sherryheads! Lots of tropical fruits: pineapple, guava, tons of light breakfast honey. Extremely fresh! Develops on melon and peach, freshly squeezed oranges… A nectar. Whiffs of white pepper from the wood. What a perfect balance! Hints of peat?
Mouth: stunning attack on fresh fruit salad and white pepper. Bold, rich, yet clean and fresh. Lots of honey, fresh fruits (melon, pear)… Some oaky notes too (tannins, pepper, vanilla, cinnamon). This one really proves that there’s life without some heavy sherry in Speyside. Long, beautifully balanced finish on pollen, and white pepper. An old ‘straight shooter’ that, once again, shows that there isn’t only sherry and/or peat in life. I like it a lot! 90 points"

Dave Broom (91)

Dave Broom
Nose: Orange peel, smoke, light leather, burnt toast, plum. Has depth and at the same time is very precise.
Palate: Medium-bodied. Smoky, cashew, floor polish, savoury notes underneath. Some deep, carbonised notes. Oaky.
Finish: Runny honey, acacia.
Comment: Complex, intriguing.

BOW (92)

CRAGGANMORE 1973, 29-year-old, Special Release Issued 2003, 52.5 vol (from Michael Jackson's "Malt Whisky Companion" 5th edition, 2004)

"A wonderfully complex Special Release in 2003 demonstrated what a great malt this is." (MJ)

Colour: Gold, with a faint green tinge.Nose: Fragrant, grassy, herbal, with both dryness and sweetness.Body: Soft, slightly oily, dry.Palate: Dry notes like bison grass, thyme and pepper, but also sweeter flavours like liquorice and orange blossom.Finish: Long, dry flowery, cleansing.Score: 92** the highest rated Cragganmore.