Dalmore 21 Years Old 2003 Cask #14736 (Signatory)

From the Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage, a 21 year old Dalmore, distilled in 2003, from cask 14736, bottled at 52.9%, one of 199 bottles. Dalmore is a rich, chocolate and orange Highland single malt, deeply marked by sherry wood. Most expressions are finished in aged sherry wood, giving orange, chocolate and treacle.

It was worked through flat topped and water jacketed stills for a rich, oily spirit, for the rich, full bodied make Dalmore is known for. A Pedro Ximenez cask added raisin, date, fig and a treacle sweetness. Through oxidative maturity esters concentrate, the sherry turning to marmalade, treacle and dark chocolate. The cool Highland air on the firth gives a slow, even maturation. Refill oak lets the full bodied Dalmore character lead, orange and dried fruit beneath. Its flat topped wash stills and water jacketed spirit stills build a thick, rich, oily spirit.

At its natural 52.9% it is concentrated. Baked fruit, coffee and a dark sweetness, with dried fruit, chocolate and orange from the cask. Beneath it run orange, dark chocolate and dried fruit. A long, opulent finish carries a chocolate orange depth. This is a chocolate, orange and dried fruit Highland single malt.