Dalmore 18 Years Old

An official release of Dalmore, an 18 year old, at 43%. Dalmore is a Highland distillery on the Cromarty Firth, famous for its rich, heavily sherried single malt. The Dalmore range climbs to some of the oldest and most expensive whiskies in the world.

Worked through flat topped and water jacketed stills for a rich, oily spirit, for a heavy, rich make that suits aged sherry wood. Maturation in an Oloroso butt laid dried fruit, treacle and dark chocolate over the oily malt. Into oxidative maturity, slow air ingress builds fruity ethyl esters (orange and dried fruit) over the chocolatey, sherried depth. Long ageing turns the fresh orange towards marmalade, dark chocolate, coffee and a warm spice. It is owned by Whyte and Mackay, and its King Alexander III bottling nods to the clan legend. Its spirit stills wear cooling water jackets, condensing the heavier compounds back for a fuller body.

At 43% it is gentle, sweet and fruity. A rich, sherried sweetness, with dried fruit, chocolate and orange from the cask. Beneath it run orange, dark chocolate and dried fruit. The finish runs rich, fruity and warm. This is a chocolate, orange and dried fruit Highland single malt.