Dalmore 20 Years Old 1995 Cask #91121 (Ian Macleod)

From the bottler Ian Macleod, a 20 year old Dalmore, distilled in 1995, from cask 91121, bottled at 46%, one of 669 bottles. Dalmore is a Highland distillery on the Cromarty Firth, famous for its rich, heavily sherried single malt. The rich, dried fruit style runs through the core range, from the twelve year old upward.

It was distilled in flat topped wash stills and water jacketed spirit stills on River Averon water, for the rich, full bodied make Dalmore is known for. An Oloroso hogshead lent dried fruit, walnut and a dark, treacly depth, soaked up by the heavy spirit. At oxidative maturity aldehydes and esters lend dried fruit while ellagitannins add a drying, tannic grip. Years in oak round the spirit, the fruit deepening to chocolate, marmalade and treacle. The cool Highland air on the firth gives a slow, even maturation. Dalmore's sherry comes largely from the aged Oloroso casks of Gonzalez Byass.

Bottled at 46%, it is rounded. A rich, sherried sweetness, with dried fruit, chocolate and orange from the cask. A baked fruit and a warm spice lift it. It finishes rich, malty and warm. This is the rich, sherried Highland malt of Dalmore.