Dalmore 17 Years Old 1990 Cask #7325 (Duncan Taylor)

A Dalmore of a 17 year old chosen by the Huntly bottler Duncan Taylor, distilled in 1990, from cask 7325, bottled at 55.5%, one of 662 bottles. Dalmore is a Whyte and Mackay distillery known for its opulent, dried fruit rich style. The distillery was founded in 1839 by Alexander Matheson on the Cromarty Firth at Alness.

It was run through the distillery's unusual flat topped and water jacketed stills, building the luscious Dalmore style. Maturation in an Oloroso butt laid dried fruit, treacle and dark chocolate over the oily malt. In the oxidative middle years oxidation draws out a deeper dried fruit, vanillin and lactones fully expressed. Maturation in the cool north keeps the rich spirit balanced over the years. Its flat topped wash stills and water jacketed spirit stills build a thick, rich, oily spirit. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the rich, sherried core over the years.

At a hearty 55.5% it carries real weight. Marmalade, chocolate and a malty depth, with dried fruit, chocolate and orange from the cask. The texture is thick and oily, the fruit lifted by a rich sherry. The finish is long, rich and chocolatey. This is a sherried Highland single malt of real depth.