Dalmore 11 Years Old 2007 Single Cask Cask Strength (Hart Brothers) (55.1%)

A Dalmore of an 11 year old chosen by the Glasgow bottler Hart Brothers, distilled in 2007, bottled at 55.1%. Dalmore sits above the Cromarty Firth, its water jacketed stills building a thick, oily spirit. The distillery stands on the firth near Alness, in the Northern Highlands.

Drawn off stills whose cooling jackets build a rich, oily spirit, for a full, opulent Highland spirit. A Cabernet Sauvignon cask gave blackcurrant, red berry and a dry spice. Through integration spirit and wood marry, vanillin settling into vanilla as ethyl esters lend a riper orange and dried fruit. The cool Highland air on the firth gives a slow, even maturation. Water comes from the River Averon, drawn from Loch Morie in the hills above. The Dalmore range climbs to some of the oldest and most expensive whiskies in the world. Years in oak round the spirit, the fruit deepening to chocolate, marmalade and treacle.

At a natural 55.1% it is full and honeyed. A rich, sherried sweetness, with plum and red berry from the cask. It is full and rich, the opulent spirit shining through. The finish is long, rich and chocolatey. This is Dalmore, rich with orange and dark chocolate.