Cragganmore 22 years 1993 Cadenhead's One of 492 - bottled 2015 Small Batch (Brown)

Scotland, Speyside. Distillery operational. Owner: Diageo

In addition to appearing together in the Six Classics Malts range, Cragganmore and Lagavulin became closely linked in 1923 when Sir Peter Mackie bought Cragganmore Distillery and incorporated it into the company Mackie & Co. - White Horse Distillers. Cragganmore become a key malt in the company's blends White Horse and Old Parr, before it was bought in 1927 by DCL (Distillers Company Limited). Loved by enthusiasts and connoisseurs, Cragganmore remains a niche single malt. Its 12 Year Old version, with a cream label, has been its standard bearer for over 20 years. Only one previous 12 year old version released by D&J McCallum Limited, Edinburgh is today a true collectors item.

A small batch of Cragganmore distilled in 1993, aged in bourbon casks and bottled in 2015. Cadenhead was founded in Aberdeen in 1842 by George Duncan. William Cadenhead then joined the company and, when George Duncan died in 1858, took over and renamed the business after himself. William’s nephew Roberth Duthie developed the company in the early 20th century and it remained a family business until 1969. William Cadenhead Ltd was then sold to the Springbank distillery’s owner J. & A. Mitchell and Co. Hedley G. Wright, a direct descendent of Archibald and John Mitchell, became William Cadenhead Ltd’s CEO. In the past, Cadenhead had mainly sold its own brands, such as Putachieside, The Hielanman, Seven Stars and Green Label rums. Under Hedley G. Wright, the company began to take more of an interest in single malts. This led to the creation of the legendary collection of dumpy bottles in 1977. This series of single malts stood out for its very gentle filtration, lack of artificial colouring, and relatively high bottling strength for the time (80 proof/45.7% ABV). The labels included lots of information, including the month and year of distillation and bottling, and whether or not sherry casks were used. Also in 1977, the business moved to another address in Aberdeen, and finally to Campbeltown. In the 1980s, Cadenhead sold casks to legendary bottlers such as Samaroli and Corti Brothers through the subsidiary Duthie’s. Finally, two new whisky ranges were created in 1991 and 1992, the Original Collection bottled at 46% and the Authentic Collection bottled at cask strength. Other special series to mark Cadenhead’s major anniversaries (150 and 175 years), as well as new ranges launched since (Small Batch, World Whiskies, etc.), have all contributed to the company’s ongoing history up to the present day. A limited edition of 492 bottles.