Cragganmore 14, d.1989, Kingsbury, 286/305, 58.9% abv.

Kingsbury Wine & Spirits Co. was started by Katsuhiko Tanaka in 1989 and is located in Aberdeen, UK. Katsuhiko Tanaka is also the President of Japan Import System Co. Ltd., which is a famous liquor store in Tsukiji, Japan (near the infamous fish market.... which has now moved). Katsuhiko Tanaka and Gordon Wright, of Springbank fame, select casks for Kingsbury, which are typically/primarily released for the Japanese market. Supposedly they originally sourced their casks from Cadenheads and Douglas Laing, but have been able to expand their options with the growth of IBs and the Scotch market in general.

Nose: great body, peanuts, floral, after awhile it changes to smoke, more well defined peanuts.

Palate: sharp, dry, initial palate is a little sour,
mid palate is sour vanilla, plums, back palate is sweet and like toast, vanilla that gets stronger with time. Quite good and on the precipice of greatness.

Finish: short, vanilla, light graham crackers, beef jerky.

This whisky has two faces, the initial aromas and flavors were different from what it becomes after some time. Goes from peanuts and chemical fruit to light smoke, light vanilla, and beef jerky. There is a sweet honey background to all of it. Interestingly, tasting notes from @whisknick appear to be quite different from mine. I was shocked this was Cragganmore and genuinely believed it needed a push... or some sort of help to reach greatness. Nice.

Grade: A-

Couldn't find quantifiable, reliable reviews.

Image courtesy of Eric Yee.

Eric Yee

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