Dalmore 13 Years Old 2004 Cask #93151 / 93152 (Ian Macleod)

From the bottler Ian Macleod, a 13 year old Dalmore, distilled in 2004, from cask 93151 / 93152, bottled at 54.3%, one of 511 bottles. Dalmore is a Highland distillery on the Cromarty Firth, famous for its rich, heavily sherried single malt. Its flat topped wash stills and water jacketed spirit stills build a thick, rich, oily spirit.

It was made in copper stills whose water jackets give a heavy make, for the rich, full bodied make Dalmore is known for. A Cabernet Sauvignon cask gave blackcurrant, red berry and a dry spice. Integration folds eugenol (clove) and vanillin (vanilla) into the malt, the rich body fuller and darker. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the rich malt. The distillery stands on the firth near Alness, in the Northern Highlands. Dalmore's sherry comes largely from the aged Oloroso casks of Gonzalez Byass.

At a hearty 54.3% it carries real weight. Orange, treacle and a warm spice, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Soft orange and a treacly malt sit behind the cask. The finish is deep, sherried and dark. This is a chocolate, orange and dried fruit Highland single malt.