Dalmore 1995 Vintage

This official Dalmore, from 1995, at 45%, 1800 bottles in all. Dalmore is a Highland distillery on the Cromarty Firth, famous for its rich, heavily sherried single malt. The distillery was founded in 1839 by Alexander Matheson on the Cromarty Firth at Alness.

The spirit was run through the distillery's unusual flat topped and water jacketed stills, for the rich, full bodied make Dalmore is known for. A sherry cask held it, the wood lending raisin, fig, orange and a coffee depth. With no age statement, the oak has given vanillin as vanilla and oak lactones as coconut over the rich, sherried spirit. Dalmore's sherry comes largely from the aged Oloroso casks of Gonzalez Byass. Long ageing turns the fresh orange towards marmalade, dark chocolate, coffee and a warm spice. The Royal Stag style is built on rich spirit and deep sherry wood.

At 45% it is smooth and honeyed. Baked fruit, coffee and a dark sweetness, with dried fruit, chocolate and orange from the cask. A baked fruit and a warm spice lift it. A long, opulent finish carries a chocolate orange depth. This is a sherried Highland single malt of real depth.