Dalmore 16 Years Old 2001 (Connoisseurs Choice)

The Elgin house Gordon and MacPhail bottled this Dalmore, a 16 year old, distilled in 2001, bottled at 46%. Dalmore was founded in 1839 by Alexander Matheson and long run by the Mackenzies. Its spirit stills wear cooling water jackets, condensing the heavier compounds back for a fuller body.

Run through the distillery's unusual flat topped and water jacketed stills, giving the thick, oily spirit that drinks sherry so well. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the oak letting the full bodied, oily character lead. Through oxidative maturity esters concentrate, the sherry turning to marmalade, treacle and dark chocolate. An aged Oloroso cask suits the rich spirit, dried fruit and chocolate meeting the oily weight. Maturation in the cool north keeps the rich spirit balanced over the years. The rich, dried fruit style runs through the core range, from the twelve year old upward.

At 46% it is gentle, sweet and fruity. A full, dried fruit richness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Soft orange and a treacly malt sit behind the cask. A long, opulent finish carries a chocolate orange depth. This is Dalmore's opulent, chocolate orange Highland style.