Dalmore 15 Years Old 1986 Cask #3079 (van Wees)

A 15 year old Dalmore from the bottler van Wees, distilled in 1986, from cask 3079, bottled at 43%. Dalmore is a rich, chocolate and orange Highland single malt, deeply marked by sherry wood. The Dalmore range climbs to some of the oldest and most expensive whiskies in the world.

It was run through the distillery's unusual flat topped and water jacketed stills, for the rich, full bodied make Dalmore is known for. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak quiet behind the thick spirit. In the oxidative middle years oxidation draws out a deeper dried fruit, vanillin and lactones fully expressed. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the rich malt. Its spirit stills wear cooling water jackets, condensing the heavier compounds back for a fuller body. Most expressions are finished in aged sherry wood, giving orange, chocolate and treacle. Its flat topped wash stills and water jacketed spirit stills build a thick, rich, oily spirit.

At 43% it is gentle, sweet and fruity. Dried fruit, orange and a treacly malt, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A baked fruit and a warm spice lift it. It finishes rich, malty and warm. This is a sherried Highland single malt of real depth.