Dalmore 12 Years Old 2013 Cask #2466 (A.D. Rattray)

From A.D. Rattray, a 12 year old Dalmore, distilled in 2013, from cask 2466, bottled at 56.4%, one of 235 bottles. Dalmore is a rich, marmalade and dark chocolate Highland single malt of real opulence. It is owned by Whyte and Mackay, and its King Alexander III bottling nods to the clan legend.

Worked through flat topped and water jacketed stills for a rich, oily spirit, giving the thick, oily spirit that drinks sherry so well. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the oak letting the full bodied, oily character lead. In integration lactones (coconut) and vanillin (vanilla) knit with the sherry, fruit deepening to chocolate and orange. The cool Highland air on the firth gives a slow, even maturation. The distillery was founded in 1839 by Alexander Matheson on the Cromarty Firth at Alness. Years in oak round the spirit, the fruit deepening to chocolate, marmalade and treacle.

At a natural 56.4% it is full and honeyed. Marmalade, chocolate and a malty depth, with a soft vanilla from the oak. The texture is thick and oily, the fruit lifted by a rich sherry. The close is long, fruit over a rich sherry. This is a sherried Highland single malt of real depth.