Cragganmore The Octave 1988 28Y 52,6% 0,7 l

Duncan Taylor The Octave Cragganmore 1988 28Y is an exceptionally limited-edition Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky from the Cragganmore distillery, released as an independent bottling by Duncan Taylor as part of The Octave series. The whisky was distilled in 1988, aged for 28 years, and bottled in 2017 at a cask strength of 52.6%. It comes from cask No. 4216173, and only 48 bottles were produced.

The whisky spent its final three months of aging in a small sherry octave cask. These casks have a significantly smaller volume than standard casks, allowing the whiskey to come into more intense contact with the wood. It is precisely this final finish that has enriched the long-aged character of Cragganmore with more pronounced notes of dried fruit, spices, chocolate, vanilla, and toasted nuts.

The whiskey was bottled as a single cask, unchill-filtered and at cask strength.

Tasting Profile:

Nose: Honey, zesty citrus, and chocolate, complemented by notes of dried fruit and milk chocolate.

Taste: Rich and layered with fruit, spices reminiscent of Christmas cookies, vanilla, toasted nuts, and oak.

Finish: Long, spicy, and woody with lingering notes of vanilla, nuts, and a subtle hint of pepper.

About the Cragganmore Distillery:

Cragganmore was founded in 1869 by John “Big John” Smith near Ballindalloch in Speyside. He chose the location because of its high-quality water source and close proximity to the Strathspey Railway. As a result, Cragganmore became the first distillery in Speyside to specifically use the railroad for transporting raw materials and shipping whisky.

The Cragganmore style is characterized by a complex and layered profile, influenced by lightly peated malt, a long fermentation process, and unusually shaped short stills with flat tops. The distillery is now owned by Diageo, and its whiskey is also an important component of the Old Parr blend.