Dalmore 25 Years Old (42%)

An official release of Dalmore, a 25 year old, at 42%, 3000 bottles in all. Dalmore is a Highland distillery on the Cromarty Firth, famous for its rich, heavily sherried single malt. Much of its sherry comes from aged Oloroso casks, the Matusalem, Apostoles and Amoroso butts of Gonzalez Byass.

The spirit 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 Tawny Port cask laid plum, chocolate and red berry over the rich spirit. Oxidative, evaporative ageing turns the malt deep and rich, ethereal esters and a faint sotolon (maple). The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the rich, sherried core over the years. Refill oak lets the full bodied Dalmore character lead, orange and dried fruit beneath. 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 42% it is gentle, sweet and fruity. Orange, dark chocolate and dried fruit, with plum, chocolate and red berry from the cask. Marmalade, chocolate and dried fruit fill the middle. The finish runs rich, fruity and warm. This is the rich, sherried Highland malt of Dalmore.