Dalmore 25 Years Old

An official release of Dalmore, a 25 year old, at 42%. Dalmore is a full bodied, sherried Highland single malt from the shores of the Cromarty Firth. The distillery stands on the firth near Alness, in the Northern Highlands.

Run through the distillery's unusual flat topped and water jacketed stills, giving the thick, oily spirit that drinks sherry so well. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding vanilla and a soft honey. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend a drying structure while oxidation builds a richer, darker fruit. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the rich malt. An aged Oloroso cask suits the rich spirit, dried fruit and chocolate meeting the oily weight. The rich, oily spirit takes cask flavour superbly, especially aged sherry wood. Much of its sherry comes from aged Oloroso casks, the Matusalem, Apostoles and Amoroso butts of Gonzalez Byass.

Reduced to 42%, it is mellow. A rich, oily chocolate orange, with a soft vanilla from the oak. It is full and rich, the opulent spirit shining through. The finish runs rich, fruity and warm. This is a chocolate, orange and dried fruit Highland single malt.