Cragganmore 25 yo 1988/2014 Special Release 51.4%

Not the latest 2016 Special Release but at least it has got an age statement :)

Cragganmore facts: 

1. One of the initial Diageo six Classic Malts representing Speyside (its colleagues were Dalwhinnie, Glenkinchie, Lagavulin, Oban and Talisker). 

2. Most of the spirit produced is used for White Horse and Old Parr blends. 

3. Cragganmore was considered by Michael Jackson as the most complicated Speyside whisky. 

Cragganmore 25 yo 1988/2014 Special Release 51.4% - refill American and European oak casks, 3372 bottles released.

Nose: fresh, fruity, floral and grassy. Floral honey as well. More sweetness and vanilla comes with water. 

Taste: powerful and tannic, almost astringent. So active casks selected?.. With water becomes sweeter and not so oaky. Lots of ripe plums, apricots and honey. Hints of ginger and white pepper. Really good. 

Finish:  quite long, fruity and honeyed. Little waxiness and still some oak, but not too much. 

Overall: it was a complicated whisky for me, the things sorted out a bit only after 3-rd or 4-th sip. Needs time and gets better with a spoon of water. Solid malt, almost 90/100 in my mind, though it lacks some little "wow". Nevertheless it's very good.

Score = 22 23 22 22, 89/100!