Cragganmore

Introduction:

located in the Banffshire region of Speyside, is known for producing complex Strathspey Single Malt whisky. Despite being one of the smallest distilleries in the region, it has gained a reputation for its quality. The distillery offers a small but distinctive range of official bottlings, including a 12-year-old core expression, a 21-year-old Vintage, a 25-year-old special release, a Cragganmore distiller’s edition, and a Friends of the Classics Malts Limited Edition Bottling. Independent bottlers like Signatory Vintage and Douglas Laing have also released their own versions of Cragganmore whisky. While the distillery doesn’t directly stock older official bottlings, they can still be found elsewhere. In the past, Cragganmore was primarily used for blending, such as in the James Watson Number 10 blend. However, nowadays most of its malt whisky is used for its own Single Malt as well as for the Old Parr and White Horse Blends.

The Production:

Water source Cragganmore distillery draws water from mineral-rich Craggan burn.

Capacity The distillery can produce 1.52 million.

Fermentation Wash ferments in traditional wooden wash backs, contributing to the spirit’s taste.

Work schedule The distillery operates 7 days a week.

The Pot Stills:

Distinctive shape Cragganmore’s pot stills have a flat top and relatively short neck, influencing the spirit’s flavor.

Quantity The distillery has 2 wash and 2 spirit stills.

The Maltings:

Malt selection Cragganmore now sources lightly peated malt from Diageo’s central maltings.

Floor maltings The practice of using floor maltings ended at Cragganmore in the late twentieth century.

Barley sourcing Diageo selects barley from various Lowland and Speyside farms.

The Warehouse

Warehouse details Cragganmore has three on-site warehouses built in 1925, holding over 360,000 casks.

Cask types The distillery uses Bourbon, Sherry, and Port Wine casks.

Warehouse type Cragganmore’s warehouses are of the dunnage type.

Bottling location Bottling takes place at a site in Leven, Fife.

The History:

Cragganmore distillery was founded in 1869 by John Smith, a renowned distiller previously associated with Macallan, Glenlivet, and Glenfarclas. The distillery was strategically located near the Strathspey Railway, becoming the first in Scotland with such a advantage. After Smith’s passing, his son Gordon took over, but unfortunately, he died young in 1912. His widow, Mary Jane, continued running the distillery successfully. During World War I, production paused briefly due to rationing, but resumed in 1918. In 1923, the distillery was sold to the Cragganmore Distillery Co., and later, DCL (Distillers Company Limited) acquired 50% ownership. Following various developments and expansions, DCL became the sole owner in 1965. The distillery received recognition with its 12-year-old malt joining the Classic Malts Range in 1988. Now under Diageo’s ownership, Cragganmore continues to thrive, releasing new expressions such as the Distillers Edition Double Matured.

Visitor’s Centre:

Cragganmore’s award-winning visitors center opened in 2002, offering guided tours of the facilities, a gift shop, and a café.

Visitor information:

The Cragganmore Distillery
Ballindalloch
Banffshire
AB37 9AB
Tel: +44 (0)1479-874715
Email: cragganmore.distillery@diageo.com