Dalmore Constellation Collection 32 Years Old 1980

An official release of Dalmore, a 32 year old, from 1980, cask 495, at 51.2%, 227 bottles in all. Dalmore, on the firth at Alness, makes one of the most luscious, sherried malts in the Highlands. Its flat topped wash stills and water jacketed spirit stills build a thick, rich, oily spirit.

The spirit was worked through flat topped and water jacketed stills for a rich, oily spirit, for a full, opulent Highland spirit. First fill bourbon gave a fuller vanilla and orange over the rich spirit. Ethereal and old, decades draw the malt to a rich, waxy depth of sotolon, old oak and dried fruit. Dalmore's sherry comes largely from the aged Oloroso casks of Gonzalez Byass. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the rich, sherried core over the years. Its spirit stills wear cooling water jackets, condensing the heavier compounds back for a fuller body. The rich, oily spirit takes cask flavour superbly, especially aged sherry wood.

At a hearty 51.2% it carries real weight. Marmalade, chocolate and a malty depth, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A baked fruit and a warm spice lift it. The finish is deep, sherried and dark. This is Dalmore, rich with orange and dark chocolate.