Dalmore 2000 – Millennium Release Cask #1

An official release of Dalmore, a 12 year old, from 2000, cask 1, at 57.7%, 421 bottles in all. Dalmore is a Whyte and Mackay distillery known for its opulent, dried fruit rich style. Its spirit stills wear cooling water jackets, condensing the heavier compounds back for a fuller body.

The spirit was distilled in flat topped wash stills and water jacketed spirit stills on River Averon water, for a heavy, rich make that suits aged sherry wood. Maturation in an Oloroso butt laid dried fruit, treacle and dark chocolate over the oily malt. In integration lactones (coconut) and vanillin (vanilla) knit with the sherry, fruit deepening to chocolate and orange. The full bodied make rewards a long, sherried maturation in good wood. The cool Highland air on the firth gives a slow, even maturation. Maturation in the cool north keeps the rich spirit balanced over the years.

At 57.7%, undiluted, it is deep and fruity. A rich, sherried sweetness, with dried fruit, chocolate and orange from the cask. It is full and rich, the opulent spirit shining through. The finish runs rich, fruity and warm. This is the Royal Stag malt of the Cromarty Firth.