I sat down with my father-in-law for a dram of Cragganmore 12yr.
Here are some of the notes we put together:
Nose: Fresh, crisp and intoxicating. Nothing distasteful, but everything blended together to alert the senses that you are about to drink a good whisky. I am having a hard time detecting anything coming out from the background.
Palate: Cool and refreshing as it hits the tongue, building in mass as it wakes up the sides of the mouth.
Finish: Medium-long finish, releasing a pleasant taste as the whisky goes down the gullet. Nothing bitter, nothing peaty, nothing distasteful. The entire experience is the essence of a great, malty whisky. The chest warms as the taste of a solid Speyside lingers. Hints of honey, heather and nectar on the finish.
This is definitely a whisky I would recommend for those who want to step up to a single malt after enjoying the blended scotches that are out there.