Dalmore 18 - 43%
From the Dalmore website
An exceptional release, with a rich character that epitomises our house style. Nurtured by hand in American white oak ex-Bourbon casks and 30 year old Matusalem Oloroso Sherry casks, some of the rarest casks in the world, exclusively available to the whisky makers of The Dalmore.
Tasting notes
Appearance: Amber gold, forms a thin line which falls slowly as thick, oily legs.
Nose: Dried fruit and nuts, dark chocolate enrobed orange peel, vanilla sauce and a touch of anise
Palate: Milk chocolate, puff pastries glazed with Seville orange marmalade, California raisins and wood spice.
Finish: Quite drying, dark roast coffee, stewed plums, orange peel, bonfire toffee, liquorice and a touch of black pepper
Overall: It’s a decent quality whisky, well balanced with a nice depth and level of complexity. As with many Dalmore whiskies, there is enjoyment to be found in the chocolate, orange and raisin notes.
However, there is one major issue for me with this whisky, and it’s the same major issue I have with most of the Dalmore range. At the time of writing the price of this whisky on the Dalmore website is a staggering £315 a bottle. Yes, it’s a nice 18 year old whisky, but at that price I would expect far more than a nice whisky at a miserly 43% abv. Marketing yourself as a luxury brand is fine as long as your product lives up to the premium tag. For me, there are plenty of whiskies out there which offer so much more for so much less.
Just as a footnote, if you’re really looking to purchase a bottle of this, try the secondary market. Recent prices at Scotch Whisky Auctions have been less than half the website price. That may be in part due to the weakness of the current auction scene, but it may also be a more accurate indication of the price the whisky-buying public believes this expression should be. If auctions aren’t your thing, I would strongly suggest shopping around, there are significantly better prices out there.
If you would like more information on this whisky, or the Dalmore Distillery, follow the link to the company website.
Transparency: Received free of charge for independent review, all opinions are my own and remain completely impartial.
