ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ก.ค. 2024
- I've got a single malt scotch whisky from the Cragganmore distillery in Speyside today. This is their 12 year old expression. It's part of Diageo's Classic Malts of Scotland Range. I'll taste it and give you my thoughts. Cheers!
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Scores:
0-75 - Crap
75-79 - For cocktails & people you don't like
80-82 - Not bad
83-85 - Getting good here
86-89 - Delicious
90-94 - Awesome
95-100 - Cowabunga Dudes
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I really like cragganmore 12. It has a lot of subtle depth.
Wow a comparison with HP12 has made it more interesting for me to try it out too! Great review!
Thanks buddy! It's not great... but decent entry level stuff with a nice character. Hope you enjoy! 🥃
We’re all better off when we expect less and are surprised. You’ve made this one sound very appealing regardless of its downsides. I love these conversations, and all your follower’s comments. I forgot how much I enjoyed Edradour and will go and pick some up next. Cheers.
As long as it's clear that this is a lighter whisky. People who insist on integrity bottlings will of course be disappointed here. It's a good one as long as it's affordable and you're ok drinking something casually that has nice flavours. Edradour 10 is good stuff. I recently revisited it, and it's still a great entry-level offering for sherry fans. Cheers!
Good review as always. Speaking of 40% I would like to recommend another one, the Royal Lochnagar 12. This one along with Cragganmore 12 would be 90 points if they're 46% IMO.
I don't think I've ever even tried that one, and it's been around forever! Noted. Thanks for the suggestion, Cherish!
Nice review. This goes for $67 USD in my market. Very hard buy when Bunna12 $50, Ledaig 10 $45, Arran 10 $45, Deanston 12 $50, Glengoyne 12 $50 and Glenallachie 12 $50. If this was $50 I'd probably give it a shot. Couple years ago all the Diageo bottles went up 30-40% in price.
Certainly there are better whiskies with better specs out there for the money. Oddly enough this is cheaper than all the whiskies you listed there aside from the Bunna in Taiwan. But with that many better options and with this being over $50, I think you're right to give it a pass. Cheers Steven.
Greetings from Argentina! Love the video, I've found it very accurate. Just to say that here all the brands Steven O named are at least twice the price of a Cragganmore 12. I guess it's all about importation taxes. And I agree with Geoff that Cragganmore 12 is one of the best basics you can get for the money (here). Highland park is also twice the price, and also agree in terms of comparison with C12. And I will suggest (for the same range of price here) Glen Elgin 12 to try if you haven't already tried it (There's a great video in the channel already that's just nailed it).
This one can seem simple and odd on first sip - given time, as you said, it reveals well-hidden dimensions - small but beautifully formed - like a Fabergé egg.
thanks to your review, i had it on my list to try try one day. my friends saw my list and gifted it to me, so i was able to try. I think it punches above its weight class considering the 40% issue. It’s good and somewhat unique, but not my favorite. I agree with your analysis and score. the whisky offers some good malty flavors, but isn’t presented in a way that really lets it shine. Thanks for your reviews as always, Geoff!
Seems we're on the same page! Thanks for watching, Ross. Cheers! 🥃
Very good review!
Thanks Lucas. Cheers! 🥃
This is another one that got me into single malts. First one's free! And it was if I remember correctly a buddy of mine gave me a bottle for Xmas and we polished if off on New Years. A dangerously easy sipper with some pleasing flavours and a good pour for those who think they don't like Scotch. Otherwise, meh. Funny I don't remember any peat at all! I would probably buy again at $50, but not a snowflake's chance in hell for $100 CAD in Alberta! If I'm not mistaken this is one of the few remaining distilleries that still employs worm tubs,...but you would never know it. Yet another watered-down Diageo offering that would be a no-brainer non chill-filtered at 46% or above. Loving the humour man cheers!
Absolutely no reason to pay $100 for this. No way. I like it, but it's an entry-level whisky and it's one that is easily outperformed by other whiskies that are better presented. If the price is that high, this is a hard pass! Cheers Lewis!
I was living in Budapest, Hungary; Kyiv, Ukraine; and, as you might expect, back to Canada and I’ve walked past this bottle, even when it’s on offer, 100 times. At your recommendation, I may at least slow down and pick it up. No guarantees, though, bro. Haha! Always enjoy your reviews, Geoff!
Well I've heard it's quite expensive in both Canada and the States. I wouldn't recommend this for a penny over entry-level pricing. It's a solid whisky, but if you're overpaying it might disappoint. Cheers and thanks for watching WIC!
Its not bad whisky . Good job Geoff .Cheers !
Thanks Light! Cheers!
Hello Geoff,
this one was one of my " First Ever" Whiskys and i dont regret having bought it. It showed me what Whisky can be (for a Beginner). Thanks for that Cragganmore.
But its more than 10years ago and me and my Tongue moved on to more Intensity and Character.
Thanks for your Thoughts and Opinion.
Greets from Germany
Totally understandable. This isn't one I'd buy again, even though I like it. As nice as the flavours are, it's just too weak. 🥃
Not had it for ages, would have liked it in the past and have kept my eyes peeled for an IB version…… not seen one yet!
An IB Cragganmore sounds interesting. I don't know that I've ever had one myself!
Great review this was one I loved early on in my exploration. But sadly all the Diego classics have gone way up in price here in last few years so it just isn’t worth it anymore.
It seems like this is pretty overpriced in a few markets these days. I like it, but it's cheap here. I definitely wouldn't recommend it at the prices I'm hearing out of the States and Canada.
Originally I rated this a 7.5, went up to a 7.7 and reckon it won’t go any higher than that. The best part of this bottle were the fried banana notes
Fried banana? Sounds amazing! I'll have to pour another dram tonight to investigate!
Hi Geoff, 🤔 A typical Diageo whisky, aimed at the average consumer. When you want a craft presented Diageo one has got to pay an arm and a leg. Haven’t had this in many years basically because there is craft presented single malts in the same price range or there abouts (eg Glencadam 10, Arran 10 even the classic laddie is only a few euros more). Still its not bad, glad you gave your honest opinion Geoff, slàinte
Honestly, I do like it. But it's not an integrity whisky and there are better whiskies out there for the money, but based on flavour and enjoyment, I can't say I don't like it. Good stuff, but I won't deny there are plenty of better options. Cheers David!
I quite liked this malt as well and gave it a 3.6/5, just under my magic 3.7 which is where I start making tasty noises. BUT IN THE STATES, this damn thing is $72. All I can say is that this is an excellent $50 whisky.
Hah well said. Nah I'm hearing from a lot of Americans that this is $60+. It belongs in the $50 or under category for sure. Good stuff, but not worth it at that price. Cheers Trainsar! 🥃
I'm done with Cragganmore 12 year now as its $69 USD when years ago it was $45. At the $45ish price point this was super good but now at $69 plus tax I'll get something else.
Totally get it. It's not worth that much. I'm ok with it at the low end of entry-level in my market, and I doubt I'd ever grab it if it went higher. Cheers Dean. 🥃
Cragganmore 12 here in Texas is $65-$70. I pass on it everytime. Talisker 10 is $70-$75. My affordable daily drinking Scotchs are Monkey Shoulder ($30) and Highland Park 12 ($45). I do enjoy Powers Gold Label which around $30 give or take. I'm in your boat where on weekends my friend and I like to hang out, cook, watch movies, and sip on all kinds of whiskey so we do need good affordable ones. Your videos are all great by the way!
Yeah fair enough. I like it as a casual sipper but I certainly wouldn't insist that anyone buy it if they think there are better offerings for the money. For the record, I like HP12 more than this, so at USD $45 it's a no-brainer. Cheers Lawrence! Glad you're enjoying the channel.🥃
Thank you for the informative review once again. This is one of the Classic Malts I have not had yet. The one I've liked least thus far was Glenkinchie 12. I feel like the Cragganmore bottle design looks very 90s-ish. If this is anywhere near what you describe (esp. regarding the toned down HP comparison) I expect I'll find this to be a decent enough dram. Prices for it are usually fair, too. 85 sounds promising, really.
Yeah I can't imagine anyone outright disliking this one. It's very pleasant and it's got its own character. It's nothing amazing and it's light, but I find it to be a charming enough casual sipper. Hope you get a change to try it ConcaCon!
Definitely agree this is a summer whisky. I Tasted this in a blind challenge alongside Deanston 12, Arran 10, a Signatory Linkwood and Aberlour 12 and this came resolutely bottom of the pile with 78 points. It has a very good nose but fell short in every other department for me. Easy to be a 40% snob but this is a very poor whisky up against other similar priced entry level drams in this category. Cheers Geoff
That lineup definitely did it no favours... some bangers in there! That being said, I'm a much bigger fan of this than I am the Aberlour 12. Cragganmore is not something I'd bring out in a session or line-up. In fact, 40% whiskies can rarely stand up against well-presented ones. But yeah, I take your point, Ramiz. This has very little intensity, and if that's important for you (and it is more most people... myself included), then this might fall short. Still, I like it.
@@Gwhisky yeh the Aberlour didn't fair much better. By the way you've enticed me into opening my Port Charlotte PAC:01. I was going to open the Islay Barley 2012 but your recent upgrade in score for the PAC:01 has peaked my curiosity too much haha! Keep up the great content 👏
@@maltontiger3144 Awesome! It's fantastic stuff. It wasn’t great right away, though. t took a while to open up. I'm sure you'll enjoy! 🥃
I see, so Craggie12 is the Park8. Got it. Thanks ! (KIdd')
Not sure what you paid for it in Taiwan, but for $70 in the US there are better options!
There are. $70 is too much. I paid about half that here. Definitely better options at your price.
This is ok if you make it your first drink of the evening but it’s sadly lacking if you opened with a Talisker and then had the Cragganmore
You're right it's definitely a light sipper. I hope that point came across clearly in the video. No way this is going to challenge any "big boy" whiskies in a lineup! Cheers Frank. 🥃
Yes, your point was well made. I just wish Diageo would put out more whiskies that represent what the single malt drinker is seeking: 46% , non chill-filtered, and natural color. Their sales would surge in the same way that GlenAllachie’s sales did when Billy Walker took control.
@@franklampard6316 Totally agree. Especially as they have some of the best distilleries in the world imo.
Hmm at 100 dollars here this is not cheap... All of Scotch is becoming to expensive in Canada. Have been moving away from them because getting difficult to get the ones I liked and the expense is getting nuts
Well the price hikes have happened everywhere, but with the prices and taxes in Canada I'm sure you guys have been among the hardest hit in the world. It's a damn shame!
My problem with all the weakly presented malts is that they cost almost if not the same as the craft presented, integrity ones. I don't mind 40%, chill filtration and even E150 as long as the price is right. Otherwise why should I even bother? I neither have youtube channel nor do I have whisky enthusiasts around me to share the bottles with. So everything I buy I drink almost exclusively on my own. And when some 40%, chill-filtered and colored malt costs almost the same as some integrity bottle of say Arran or Glenallachie I'll always go for the latter. Diageo standard releases are not the worst offenders by far, it has to be said. Macallan, Dalmore, Balvenie all churn out badly castrated bottles at absolutely cynical prices.
This is the main reason I haven't had any standard Oban, Cragganmore, Caol Ila, Glenkinchie, Dalwhinnie, etc yet. I'd very much like to try them all but I just don't want to spend the money, time and liver needed for full size bottles. The best option for me is to seek out some small size bottlings. Luckily, there is 200 ml. bottle of Cragganmore 12 available for ~11.50 euros :)
BTW there have been several sets of 3x200 ml. of the "classic masts" of Diageo, but they've been out of stock for some time now.
Cheers!
I wouldn't encourage you to buy this if there are better options or if you insist on craft-presented whisky (which-fair play, you should!). I enjoy this as a casual sipper and I give it an 85 because I like the flavours. But I also make it clear that you're signing up for a lighter whisky, which is, understandably, a big turn-off for many. Cheers!
@@Gwhisky I'm glad to report that I bought a 200 ml bottle of Cragganmore 12 (bottled in 2017), had a dram of it and thoroughly enjoyed it. So far my score for it is easy 84-85. Its profile is right up my alley. Elegant, fresh, fruity, floral, sweet, no off notes whatsoever. Despite the official tasting notes calling for smoke I couldn't detect any, except for very, very faint hint in the finish. The mouthfeel is amazingly rich for its 40% ABV and it even takes a few drops of water. I can only dream of what a gem it could have been at 46%, non chill filtered and natural color.
One can easily figure out that additional costs of 6% more ABV will be negated by omitting chill-filtration and addition of E150a both of which cost money. I'd even pay a moderate extra premium over the 30 euros that Cragganmore sells for in Bulgaria. Gladly!
However, I can see why Diageo don't rush to bring their core range expressions up to the standards of whisky enthusiasts. Most of the whisky they sell is blends and supermarket grade presented malts. Upping the presentation of expressions like Cragganmore 12, Oban 14, Caol Ila 12, Dalwhinnie 15, Glenkinchie 12, etc., will by all means please the whisky nerds, but if the prices remain as they are that would put the sales of their blends at risk. I can't think of anybody in their right mind who wouldn't choose craft presented, affordable single malt with an age statement over blended scotch or even JW Green Label. On the other hand, if they up the prices of craft presented malts, the passive consumers may stop buying them. I imagine those are not easy decisions to make if you have to answer before the board of corporate multinational. Even given the fact that quality whisky is more sought after nowadays than ever. Only time will tell whether Diageo have done right or not by leaving us with the choice between cynically presented, affordable mass products and craft-presented, cynically priced "special editions".
Cheers!
I don’t mind 40% whiskies until a certain price. The Macallan 12 sherry is only 43% in the USA, so for the price I’m finding it, I refuse to buy it.
Totally reasonable of you. 🥃
"It's not a whisky that is likely to offend anyone." Have you watched Ralfy recently??? He'd be ranting about the presentation for a quarter hour before he actually bothered reviewing the stuff! :-)))
Hah yeah come to think of it this would definitely offend Ralfy. Loved his last video, good on him! 🥃
This has been in and out of my hands for years. Never pulled the trigger. It’s not cheap here. I’ve seen it for $65 somewhere, but as high as $80 at big box stores like Total Wine!
The one I did see that I might just buy is Glen Turret 12 but the 2020 maiden release. I’m only hesitant because it’s online and they also have the 2021, and may make the mistake of sending the wrong one. They already sent me a wrong cask #bottle of an Edradour Signatory single barrel. So I know it can happen. I might just have to roll the dice. It’ll cost me almost $100 if I do.
Glenturet Maiden is a Killer!! 🤟
I would suggest that you skip this one if it isn't cheap. A whisky with specs like this is very pleasant as a casual sipper and it offers up nice flavours. But any attempt to premiumize or overcharge for this might leave you disappointed. Although I've not tried it, I'm almost certain you'd be better off with a GlenTurret 12. I'd say go for it, and perhaps leave a note on checkout insisting that they double-check the release?
Cheers Salty!
@@Gwhisky That sounds like a great idea Geoff. I think I’ll do just that.
Cheap ? Not in Portugal.
That's a shame. Pretty cheap here!
4:41 hey man
😂😂😂
With artificial colours
Yeah, unfortunately. 🥃
Nice review. $72 near me. I can get much better for that price, like GS Victoriana. No thanks 🥲
Yep that's way too much. I'd pass on it, too.