Dalmore 12 Years Old

A 12 year old Dalmore, a distillery bottling, at 40%. Dalmore is a rich, marmalade and dark chocolate Highland single malt of real opulence. The distillery was founded in 1839 by Alexander Matheson on the Cromarty Firth at Alness.

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. A Pedro Ximenez cask added raisin, date, fig and a treacle sweetness. Integration folds eugenol (clove) and vanillin (vanilla) into the malt, the rich body fuller and darker. The cool Highland air on the firth gives a slow, even maturation. The water jacketed stills give a heavy spirit that soaks up sherry over a long maturation. The Dalmore range climbs to some of the oldest and most expensive whiskies in the world. Its long time master distiller Richard Paterson, known as The Nose, shaped the rich house style.

Reduced to 40%, it is mellow. Marmalade, chocolate and a malty depth, with dried fruit, chocolate and orange from the cask. Marmalade, chocolate and dried fruit fill the middle. A long, opulent finish carries a chocolate orange depth. This is a chocolate, orange and dried fruit Highland single malt.