Cragganmore 12 years Special Reserve

Score: 62

Cragganmore 12 Years Special Reserve came second to last in its tasting, a quiet showing for a bottle that promised more than it delivered. Bottled at a robust 58.4% ABV as part of Diageo’s Special Releases, this version of Cragganmore was lightly peated, a departure from the distillery’s usual elegant, floral style. It was meant to be a bold reinterpretation of a Speyside classic, but in the club’s lineup, it felt more like a curiosity than a contender. The nose offered warming spice, caramel, and a touch of smoke, but lacked the cohesion or intrigue to stand out. On the palate, it was hot and slightly muddled, some sweetness, some oak, a hint of peat, but nothing that truly sang. The finish lingered, but without clarity or charm. In the end, it felt generic, a dram caught between styles and unsure of its own voice. Not unpleasant, but not memorable either. For a bottle with “Special Reserve” on the label, the club expected more than just a higher ABV and a whisper of smoke. It was a pour that left the room quietly, and few asked for a second.