Dalmore Gran Reserva

Dalmore from the distillery, at 40%. Dalmore was founded in 1839 by Alexander Matheson and long run by the Mackenzies. The Dalmore range climbs to some of the oldest and most expensive whiskies in the world.

Made in copper stills whose water jackets give a heavy make, to build a rich, sherry loving character. A sherry cask held it, the wood lending raisin, fig, orange and a coffee depth. Carrying no age, soft vanillin (vanilla) and a dried fruit richness suggest a fair spell in cask. Years in oak round the spirit, the fruit deepening to chocolate, marmalade and treacle. The Mackenzie clan ran it from 1867, and gave it the twelve pointed Royal Stag, after an ancestor saved King Alexander III from a charging stag in 1263. Long ageing turns the fresh orange towards marmalade, dark chocolate, coffee and a warm spice. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the rich malt.

At 40% it is gentle, sweet and fruity. Dried fruit, orange and a treacly malt, with dried fruit, chocolate and orange from the cask. A dried fruit and a chocolate depth give it weight. The finish is deep, sherried and dark. This is the rich, sherried Highland malt of Dalmore.