Dalmore 21 Years Old 2003 Cask #14743 (Signatory)

The Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage bottled this Dalmore, a 21 year old, distilled in 2003, from cask 14743, bottled at 53.6%, one of 275 bottles. Dalmore is a Highland distillery on the Cromarty Firth, famous for its rich, heavily sherried single malt. Water comes from the River Averon, drawn from Loch Morie in the hills above.

It was worked through flat topped and water jacketed stills for a rich, oily spirit, for a heavy, rich make that suits aged sherry wood. A Pedro Ximenez cask added raisin, date, fig and a treacle sweetness. In the oxidative middle years oxidation draws out a deeper dried fruit, vanillin and lactones fully expressed. Dalmore's sherry comes largely from the aged Oloroso casks of Gonzalez Byass. The Royal Stag style is built on rich spirit and deep sherry wood. The Mackenzie clan ran it from 1867, and gave it the twelve pointed Royal Stag, after an ancestor saved King Alexander III from a charging stag in 1263.

At 53.6%, undiluted, it is deep and fruity. Dried fruit, orange and a treacly malt, with dried fruit, chocolate and orange from the cask. It is full and rich, the opulent spirit shining through. Dried fruit, orange and a treacly oak see out the finish. This is Dalmore's opulent, chocolate orange Highland style.