Cragganmore
12 Year Old Special Release 2019
Springbank
Aged 30 Years
About
In 2009, newly appointed Head Distiller Jeremy Stephens organised a festival to revive Auchentoshan's profile. This Festival bottling was a distillery exclusive, limited to just 300 bottles, and released at cask strength with no age statement. It captures the ambition and energy of that moment. Matured in fresh American bourbon cask, this 56.5% ABV delivers an oily, full-bodied character. The nose shows vanilla, brown sugar, and citrus fruits, with hints of wood resin and sweet dough. On the palate, the high alcohol makes its presence felt, but beneath that heat lie apple, pear, and cinnamon, with a spicy edge that doesn't overwhelm. This is a whisky that demands respect for its youth and strength, but rewards with complexity. Water brings out the sweeter notes—vanilla and brown sugar—and tames the heat. A snapshot of Auchentoshan's history, bottled at a turning point.